Six students from Independence Schools performed as a part of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus (COYC) on Sunday, February 22nd. Senior Tillie Averre, juniors Sophie Polter and Penny Averre, Sophomore Vinny Carmean, and 8th graders Liam Polter and Freddie Averre performed with the Youth Chorus at Severance Music Center.
Tillie and Penny Averre, Sophie Polter, and Carmean have all been performing with COYC for three years, but this marks the first year for Liam Polter and Freddie Averre.
Tillie Averre has been with the program since her sophomore year and accepts the prospect of leaving, as the soon-to-be graduate feels ready to move up. She treasures what the program has taught her, saying that it did a lot for her. “I’ve learned a lot about my work ethic. It really is dependent on how much I believe myself and how much I push myself. My progress is dependent on my want for my own success,” Averre explained.
Of her most recent and final performance with the Youth Chorus, Averre said, “[The singing] was angelic. It warmed my soul to be there. It was a really enriching experience.”
Practice for these specific songs began shortly after break in early January. The students sang two longer songs titled “The Song of Democracy” by Howard Hanson (12 minutes) and “Te Deum” by Dvořák (20 minutes).
The Youth Chorus emphasizes more than simply sounding good; they work towards portraying depth and emotion as well. Sophie Polter wrote an essay about her experience with the Youth Chorus, in which she writes, “Talking about the real meaning behind the music brought emotion and feeling into our songs and established a connection to the music.”
The nearly 80-person choir is primarily comprised of Northeast Ohio youth, from 8th grade to 12th grade. The organization, according to their website, is devoted to “fostering an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion,” said Penny Averre.
“It makes me feel like there’s actually a world of people that care about singing. It made me feel connected to other people my age that want to pursue career paths such as mine,” Penny Averre added.
“It is the best experience I think I’ve had with anything musically.” Vinny Carmean shared.
