On Sunday, January 22, the Festival Chorus Concert directed by Music Department Chair, Mary Marcell celebrated 28 years. With a packed house of nearly 300 community members (and an online audience of 275), the concert made a joyous return to its traditional in-person format.

Titled We Are the Voices, the concert featured an intergenerational choir of over 100 RCDS voices (the Upper School Concert Choir, alumni, parents, employees, and community singers). A full orchestra, including several RCDS faculty, accompanied the singers with moving instrumental performances. 

The event was held at Rye Presbyterian Church, and a reception sponsored by the Parents Association followed the concert. Congratulations and thank you the 2023 Festival Chorus for a beautiful afternoon of music and community. Special thanks to Mary Marcell for founding, leading, and music-directing this beloved Rye Country Day tradition.

“Making music together is one of the most special ways to connect with a group of people. Each of us has a unique voice to offer and by truly sharing ourselves, we can create meaningful connections as we move through the human experience. As the lyrics of the song say, All our voices will blend when we touch common ground."
—Mary Marcell, Music Department Chair

Enjoy highlights from the performance here.

2023 Festival Chorus Program

Program
We Are the Voices (Jim Papoulis)
Illuminare (Elaine Hagenberg)
Common Ground (Ivan Lins, arr. Scott)
Ubi Caritas (Oja Gjeilo)
Still I Will Love (Shaina Taub)

Solo Musicians
Nicholas Arakas ’25, vocal solo
M Bremer ’23, vocal solo
Andrea Falcon ’24, vocal solo
Francesca Ricciarini ‘24, vocal solo
Keith Burton (RCDS Piano Teacher and Accompanist), piano improvisation solo
Alex McCabe (RCDS Woodwinds Teacher), soprano sax solo

See the full program here. 

If you would like to support the Festival Chorus Concert, you can make a gift here.