As the days are counting down to summer break and the weather is warming up, it is no surprise that staff and students at Lakeview High School would be ringing with spring spirit, including the Lakeview choir. Flower baskets from their recent fundraiser decorate the room, alongside a few more festive graduation decorations. Melodys and farewell songs can be heard echoing through the hallway.
Lakeview Choirs spring concert will be on May 14, at 7pm in Raidel Auditorium. This concert is going to feature 8th grade choir, Concert Choir, Pop A Cappella Choir, and Honors Choir. All of these groups will perform their own selections and combine for multiple pieces, ensuring a variety of performances for all to enjoy such as “Remember Me” and “Time” to reflect on the amazing 2025-2026 school year
Choir Director, Rebecca Shelton shows great enthusiasm towards this concert. Shelton and students describe it as, “Lakeview High School’s happiest concert of the year.”
Shelton’s enthusiasm seems to be greatly shared with her students and reflects heavily on the district.
Junior Ethan Gilbride of Honors Choir revealed his favorite aspect of the concert, “The bonding experience and showcase of potential of our amazing choirs as a whole to the Cortland community is my favorite aspect.”
Behind the scenes of this blooming concert tradition is three months of hard work and dedication to each piece of music.
Shelton explains that, “These groups have been preparing for these concerts since mid-March. Each class meets every day and has prepared these pieces with a combination of full-class instruction and sectional work, where students work alone to practice their parts before fitting all of the pieces together. Putting together a concert requires the highest level of focus from all members: students, teachers, and accompanists.”
Not only does this concert serve as a testament to the skills of the members of choir, but a way to create cherished memories and bond with others.
Choir President and senior Axel Pistilli reflected on the spring concerts from the past. “The hard part about getting ready for the concert is the limited amount of practice we have for our mass pieces. As well as the amount of songs we have to memorize.” Pistilli reflects on her favorite part of the concert, “We get to sing together and show off all of the different unique voices and groups that we have.”
If you wish to support the Lakeview Choir in future endeavors, you can do so by attending concerts or keeping an eye out for fundraisers
Shelton elaborates, “Mark your calendars for next April to not miss this sale! The Lakeview Choirs and Bands will be hosting our annual Mattress Fundraiser again in September 2026.”
Shelton also informs us, “Participating in concerts keeps the choir focused in preparation, allowing for timelines to be formed and deadlines to be met. More importantly, performing for others and watching others perform is an innate human experience that all should take part in. Understanding the level of time and effort it takes to put on a performance, and also to share art on a basic human level. Music brings people together, and it is important for students to see the impact that music can have on others; especially performing it for others.”
Funds raised will directly benefit the choir program and help provide more opportunities for students throughout the year. Support from the community is greatly appreciated and helps the choir continue to grow and succeed.
Good luck to everyone involved in the upcoming spring concert and Axel Pistilli, graduating senior of 2026. Their dedication will surely pay off for a warm and relaxing summer!
