By Crystal Hayduk
The Collage Concert, touted by many as their favorite Chelsea High School (CHS) concert of the year, returns on April 15.
The concert is a sensory collage of music flowing smoothly from one piece to another in a non-stop display, with feature lighting directing attention to the musicians.
The concert’s grand finale this year, “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong, is highly anticipated.
Full curricular sections of band, orchestra, and choir classes will perform; as well as the extracurricular music groups—jazz band, Chelsea House Orchestra, and Chelsea Gold. Small vocal and instrumental ensembles, mostly upperclassmen selected by their teachers, will be highlighted.
This soothing, exciting, and inspiring music performed by high school students is made possible through the efforts of district music teachers at all levels. Dawn Schell and Clarissa Prohaska set the foundation for the youngest students. At the middle school level, Katy Steklac (band) and Nathan Peters (orchestra) nurture instrumentalists, while Aaron Pollard (choir) cultivates vocalists. Alison Roberts (band), Phillip Sylvester (orchestra), and Pollard lead the work with high school students.
Peters said the music teachers work collaboratively to give the students a strong music education, even though different grade levels require different lead teachers. They are all proud of the years of growth the students exhibit at this memorable annual event.
Since 2014, the Collage Concert has been a partnership between the music department faculty and the Chelsea Music Boosters (CMB). Angela Menegay, president of CMB, said, “What makes this event so special is how it showcases the wide-ranging musical talent that we have among our Chelsea students. By attending this event, the community directly supports music enrichment for our students because the ticket proceeds are invested back into the school district’s music program to benefit all grades. The music directors at all [grade] levels, from elementary to high school, are dedicated and creative teachers who aim to enhance their students’ musical experiences and exposures both inside and outside the classroom.”
The 2023 Collage Concert will be held at 7 p.m. on April 15 at the Chelsea High School Auditorium, 740 North Freer Road. Reserved seating tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students/seniors and can be purchased in advance online through the Chelsea Music Boosters website at https://chelseamusicboosters.org/. Tickets can be purchased with cash or credit at the door beginning at 6:30 p.m.
ACCESSIBILITY NOTE: Persons who have special needs for seating are welcome to attend and will be accommodated. Please stop at the ticket table prior to the concert for assistance with special seating and seating for a companion.
About Chelsea Music Boosters: The Chelsea Music Boosters is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that advocates for and fundraises to help support and enhance music education programs in the Chelsea School District from Young 5s through 12th grade. Financial support provides program essentials and enhancements including music literature, instrument repairs, solo and ensemble coaching, music clinicians, and field trips.
