Making beautiful music at Lynn English

LYNN – Lynn English High School chorus members got to practice with a group of pros on Monday during a workshop with the Swingle Singers, a multi-Grammy Award winning international a cappella group based out of London.The chorus not only received a private performance, but also the opportunity to sing for the Swingle Singers, whose down-to-earth nature incited laughter and praise.?This is a real treat for us,” Lynn English senior Mike Angelli said. “I?ve definitely heard of them, and I?ve seen their videos on YouTube.”The eight-member Swingle Singers joined 17 students and choral Director Jorge Ibanez at an informal practice held in the Lynn English chorus room.After warming up together, the Lynn English chorus performed “Adoramus te,” and “The Long and Winding Road,” a ballad written by Paul McCartney.Sara Brimer, a soprano with the Swingle Singers, offered some helpful pointers and critiqued everything from posture to facial expressions.?You?re singing so people can hear it and, visually, that?s part of it too,” Brimer told the chorus members, who hung on her every word. “As a performer, you have to have it all.”Swingle Singers tenor Oliver Griffiths stressed the importance of performing as a whole group and listening to each other.?You have to actively choose to listen so you don?t bulldozer over the other parts when they?re doing something beautiful,” Griffith explained.The Swingle Singers then performed a jazz a cappella version of The Beatles? “Ticket to Ride,” while the Lynn English chorus watched in awe.?I didn?t know it was possible to sound like that,” chorus member Dennis Hernandez exclaimed. “Amazing!”Once the workshop was over, the chorus students had a chance to meet with the Swingle Singers one-on-one.Some asked for autographs and pictures, while others just wanted a final word of advice. But none could refrain from expressing their admiration and it was clear that the Swingle Singers were glad to be there too.?We?ve all been the students up there, and we known how exciting it is to meet a professional performer,” Swingle Singers singer Tobias Hug said. “It?s great to see talented kids who are working really hard. They only see their chorus class and then they see ?American Idol? and they think, ?How do I connect the two?? “The workshop occurred thanks to a partnership between Lynn English and The Boston Symphony Orchestra education department. Lynn English is one of three schools that the Swingle Singers will visit this week while in Boston for several performances with the Pops.?The partnership primarily involves professional development for music teachers, and the opportunity for students to come to the orchestra,” explained Emilio Gonzalez, Manager of Research and Curriculum Development at the Boston Symphony Orchestra. “Workshops like this are just a perk.”Lynn Public Schools Supervisor of Fine Arts Joseph Picano said the partnership was established in 1998 – shortly after he took the position in Lynn – and it has become very strong.?Over the years the Symphony Orchestra has come to play with our band and they have offered workshops for our teachers, and the kids are always very responsive” Picano explained. “Workshops like this from Boston Symphony Orchestra enhance our fine arts curriculum. The work we?ve down with them has been mostly instrumental and this adds the voice part to it.”