Six songs. One hundred and ten singers. Six Months of Preparation. After learning in July that the Falcon Chorale was selected to sing at the 2017 state Missouri Music Educators Association conference (MMEA), choir director Tracy Resseguie began preparing for the Jan. 26 performance. 

“My brain constantly was processing how i was going to get 110 people through this and do it at a high level,” said Resseguie.

About 450 choirs entered in hopes of being chosen to perform. Falcon Chorale was one of two high school large ensembles selected. They began working on their songs the first day of school. 

“It was intense from the very first day,” Said Resseguie. The Pieces were chosen to reflect a theme. They started with a song titled “What is This Light?”, and every song after that answered the question. They followed with “Stars,” “Then and Still,” “Ngokujabula!,” “A Gaelic Blessing,” and “Let Everything that Hath Breath.”

“We sent out a great message to people,” said Resseguie.”It wasn’t about being a great choir but about loving people and sharing their light.”

Junior Jacobo Barriga said there was not a dry eye in the room when it was time to perform. 

“The most memorable moment was the actual performance,” said Barriga. “I remember singing and seeing Res cry and our coaches cry and seeing our principal tear up. I just remember a lot of people in tears.” 

Sophomore Taryn Clark described the atmosphere of their performance as intense, yet energetic. 

“The room was filled with energy, and with the meaning of our pieces, the energy changed,” said Clark. “It was one of the most amazing feelings.”

Not only were the singers impacted by this powerful moment, but Resseguie said he received letters from strangers months later describing their emotional connections to the pieces and how the Falcon Chorale left and impression on them.

“I don’t know if I want to go back because I don’t know if i could ever recreate that moment,” Said Resseguie.