The walls of Diller Hall came alive as the Upper School was treated to a phenomenal performance from The Denzel Washington School Gospel Choir on Friday, January 17. The choir showcased their powerful singing and dancing, all in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr Day.
The Denzel Washington School of the Arts, located in Mount Vernon, was founded in 2015. Unlike traditional public schools, Denzel Washington is specialized and one must audition to get in. The school offers a plethora of creative programs and opportunities for students to take part in, such as acting, technical theatre, dance, vocal music, orchestra, band, and visual arts.
One of the dancers moves gracefully across the stage, with her golden wings standing out. This helps bring the music to life. Her movement adds a beautiful storytelling aspect to the performance.
The school’s gospel choir astonished many Hackley students and teachers with their heartfelt performance. However, their talent has been recognized by more than just Hackley. The choir performed live at the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular on December 12, 2024.
Sophomore Lilly Rosenthal reflected on the choir’s performance, saying, “The performance was wonderful! It was like they transported me to the pews of Ebenezer Baptist Church where Martin Luther Jr. gave his sermons.” For Lilly and many others, the choir’s showcase was not just a performance, but an immersive and emotional experience.
But beyond the choir’s shared talent are each of the students who shape and form this community with their voices. For these individuals, it is the opportunity to sing that provides a sense of home.
Junior and choir member Laura shared that she felt compelled to audition for the choir as soon as she saw the audition sheet. She saw it as an opportunity to challenge and have something for herself. “Getting involved in choir helped me step out of my shell and sing in front of others,” she said. One of her favorite moments is harmonizing with her peers, a feeling that brings her into the present and makes her feel like “Wow, I’m really going to miss this kind of family.”
A member of the choir showcases her powerful movement, lifting her arms and flags. Her flowing white dress adds a beautiful, pure element to the performance. The combination of the energy created by the singing and dancing is beautiful.
Another choir member, Vera, initially joined as a requirement for her middle school musical theater class but chose to rejoin during her sophomore year. “I remembered how much I learned in middle school and wanted to experience that again with all my friends,” she said.“My favorite part of choir is definitely the feeling of community. With the choir there are no feelings of discomfort, we all treat each other like one big family.”
Typically the choir leaders select the songs they sing based on their knowledge of gospel music. However, this year, students are getting the chance to make suggestions for their annual gospel night concert.
The choir’s preparation process varies depending on the event. If they are performing songs they already know, rehearsal begins around two weeks in advance. However, if they are learning entirely new material, they usually start rehearsing at least two months in advance. Typically, the choir practices for two hours twice a week.
Choreography is another significant element of their performances. The girls emphasized that it is a form of storytelling for their choir leader, Ms. Angela Hall. “A lot of the choir members found it difficult to sing and dance at the same time originally, myself included. Throughout hours of rehearsals, we have learned to adapt ourselves for the sometimes rigorous choreography,” said Vera.
So, What’s next for the Denzel Washington School Gospel Choir? They are looking forward to Gospel Night, a rite of passage for the students, set for March 21, and hoping that it will be a truly rewarding experience for their community.
