Every Voice Choirs’ Ode to Nature
Ever wondered what it feels like to capture the spirit of spring through the lens of a camera? A few weeks ago, I found myself at the Milbank Chapel at Teachers College, photographing the Every Voice Choirs' Annual Spring Concert. This was a celebration of the season, a chorus of voices rising in harmony to bring the essence of spring to life.
The Every Voice Choirs (EVC) is an independent children’s choir program based at Columbia University Teachers College, serving as a platform for children to discover and share their voices with pride. Founded in 2012 by Artistic & Executive Director Dr. Nicole Becker, this unique choir program has grown into a robust community of young singers expressing themselves through diverse musical genres.
The concert was split into two performances: one at 5:30 PM and another at 7:30 PM. Both performances included Every Voice Kids Choir, Hunter Elementary Singers, Every Voice Youth Choir, Vocal Technique Across Genres, and Every Voice Concert Choir. The 5:30 PM show featured the voices of EVC VoiceAbility and the later performance introduced the Cornerstone Intergenerational Choir to the stage.
Every Voice Kids Choir, a group for younger singers ages 7-10, opened the event with "A Menagerie of Songs," a delightful piece which offered the perfect introduction to the concert. With words by Mary Ann Doberman and music by Carolyn Jennings, the kids sang their hearts out, setting the tone for the rest of the concert.
Another group that stood out was the EVC VoiceAbility. This choir is designed for young singers who thrive in a supportive learning environment. They performed "One Drop," a beautiful song written and composed by Tiffany Arbuckle Lee and Matt Bronleewe.
The evening performance saw the debut of the Cornerstone Intergenerational Choir. This intergenerational choir invites children in the community to join with their trusted adults. They performed "Let the River Run," a song with words and music by Carly Simon that echoed through the chapel.
In between the performances, a raffle event was held where the attendees had the chance to win prizes like t-shirts, wine, or sparkling cider. The raffle created an exciting intermission, and the crowd was visibly enjoying themselves.
The concert ended with the EVC Combine Choirs, all groups coming together for a grand finale. They performed two songs, one of which was "Here Comes The Sun," a classic by George Harrison. During this performance, the audience was encouraged to sing along by the director, creating a magical, communal moment that perfectly captured the spirit of the concert.
Photographing this concert was a unique experience. Capturing the energy and passion of these young singers, and the joy of their audience, was a true privilege. As a regular at Milbank Chapel, I've learned to navigate its particular lighting and acoustic dynamics to capture captivating images.
This event was a reminder of the power of community, music, and the human voice. It was a celebration not just of the season, but of the young voices coming together to create something beautiful. Being part of it, even just as a photographer, was an experience I will cherish.
I look forward to capturing more such moments, and to sharing them with you through my lens. Stay tuned for more stories from my journey as a concert photographer!
