Danny Miller

MUSE 376

Web Resource 3: Performing Choral/ Orchestral Works with the High School Chorus
Paul K. Cappers
4/29/18

This article discusses the importance of performing choral works that include an

orchestra and why it is achievable for high schools to do this. Cappers believes that

if you have the talent, the correct instruments and voices and the rehearsal

capabilities, then there is not any reason to not perform these pieces at the high

school level. I completely agree with Cappers. I used to think that maybe these kinds

of pieces such as Vivaldi’s Gloria were not achievable for high school because of the

complexity. However, now that I have a different perspective I realize that as the

director, it is my responsibility to prepare students to be able to put on these

difficult works. It will only be achievable if I lead the students to this achievement. I

have to be the head of all of this and prepare my students possibly for years, but as

long as I am successful with that, it would be wrong of me not to challenge my choirs

and myself to take on this task. Cappers says that performing these works provides

and indescribable “high” for the students performing them. It is so valuable to

expose high school students to this kind of “high” because it can be so inspiring and

so motivating. This article also dives deeper into musical selection and how a

director should go about doing that, and I know that this is an article I will use in my

career to help me choose orchestral works that are possible for my future

ensembles.