
The CHS Performing Arts Department is the place to be
By John Coccaro
The high school experience is the peak of adolescence, where the lessons you learn, people you meet, and activities you engage in form the basis of your character for years to come. For students looking to express themselves, find a sense of belonging. and bolster their resumes, there is no activity more fulfilling than music.
Just as the theatrical aspect of performing arts has given me new found self-confidence, the CHS choir program has given me a family. There are three stages of choir at Cranford High School. The first stage of entry level courses are Treble and Tenor-Bass choir. Here you learn and apply vital concepts like rhythm, pitch, and tone under the guidance of Mr. Rafaniello, the choir director at the high school. The sustained musical knowledge I gained from the Tenor-Bass choir still guides me through the more advanced choirs CHS has to offer. Concert Choir, an audition-based group of 40-60 vocalists, is the second stage of choir. It is here that I found my family at Cranford High School. Through ice breakers, extracurricular events, and the vulnerability of singing, the members of CHS Concert Choir grow from a group of 40 acquaintances to a tight knit community.
Some of these traditions include embracing the gift of giving through a class-wide Secret Santa, class field trips to New York City, choir picnics, and performing at the middle schools. As a choir manager this year, it is my job to continue and improve these traditions. The final stage of choir is a group many might be familiar with. If you’ve attended the town Christmas tree lighting, Cranford Arts Day, or the tree lighting at Saint Michael’s Church, you’ve probably seen the Madrigal choir perform. The Madrigal choir is an elite, renowned group of students who use their vocal talents to give back by singing at various local events throughout the year. During the upcoming holiday season you’ll find them caroling at all of your favorite Cranford Christmas activities!
Choir and musical theater are the two programs I’ve spent my time with, but they are only two of the many opportunities to spark your creativity and express yourself at CHS. I implore everyone embarking on the journey of high school to step outside of their comfort zones and into the spotlight.