Not only is the Horace Mann Elementary School Choir scheduled to open again for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, but they will also sing live on television this week.
According to Choir Director and Music Teacher Melissa Welz, the choir will perform four songs in segments from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 7 on Fox 5. She said that she reached out to the channel.
They will sing two Christmas songs and two “pop” songs, including “Say” by John Mayer. Welz received permission, as well as sheet music and help, to perform one of their Christmas songs, “All I Want is You,” from music writer Martin Briley himself. The tune was originally performed by N Sync,
Student Tiffanie Leon-Ryan said that she considered joining the choir for two years, but only recently did so in eighth grade. Since then she has been finding her voice.
“I have high range,” she said. “I can mold my voice to anything that I hear.”
Still, she is nervous for her solo in “Swing into Christmas,” which they will sing next week on television.
“[Joining the choir] has been really life-changing,” she said. “We just do a lot of stuff in chorus that many only dream of doing.”
When Varun Vats was asked if he was excited about his upcoming performance, he said “definitely, it’s my first time on national television.”
Returning to Radio City
Welz said that Radio City contacted her during the summer to arrange for the school to come back and perform. While last year they opened up for a matinee show, this year they will perform at 5 p.m. on Dec. 16 and will be given t-shirts and stage lights.
Radio City has asked choral groups to perform hip-hop themed songs, so Horace Mann will sing “Cool Yule” by Louis Armstrong. The song has forced students to try “scat singing” (vocal improvisation with sounds and syllables) for the first time.
Vats said that last year he was new to the choir, so he did not perform on stage at Radio City, while this year he is being given the opportunity to do so.
“It’s my first time performing on such a big stage, opening up for the Christmas Spectacular,” he said. “That means a lot.”
He said that while on stage, he will just think that no one was there but himself and the microphone.
Leon-Ryan said that it will be a big deal for her since her parents will be in the crowd watching her. Her father works late, so it will mean a lot for him to be there.
Lauren Cabrera said that both of her parents are proud of her. She said she is “excited” for both of their big, upcoming performances.
After singing, students will be given seats to watch the rest of the show.
Welz said that parents interested in purchasing discounted tickets to the show can visit http://www.northbergen.k12.nj.us/ and click on the tab for Horace Mann, where information for the show is posted.
A talented bunch
Not only are Welz’s students talented, but she herself will be appearing in a chorus at Carnegie Hall on Dec. 10 and 11 in “The New York Pops – Celebrate the Holidays with Brian Stokes Mitchell.” Mitchell is a Broadway musical singer and an actor who has appeared on stage, film, and television.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.