WEB EXCLUSIVE

The Oviedo High School choir recently performed at the annual Candlelight processional, a holiday concert held at Disney’s EPCOT. This year, however, things were a little different.

While OHS has been represented year after year by talented choir students at Disney’s Candlelight, this year, they also have just performed a community relations show: a private show for Disney dignitaries and media members. As one of three high school choirs who have participated in this show, this is a huge honor for students, according to choir director William Schult, who expected to give students a professional experience and fulfill the role Disney expected of them.

To provide such an experience for Disney and for audiences, however, the choir must be prepared to work hard.

“We run through the songs a lot, and then go home so we can look on the website and practice there,” said freshman Karlie Greene.

Students rehearse in school twice a week, and have to learn 14 songs. Because they don’t have much school time to rehearse in the few months leading up to Candlelight, the students partaking in the concert must train rigorously to make sure their voices are in prime condition.

For many new students, Candlelight can seem daunting, especially if they have never seen it before.

“I know it’ll be really intimidating and there will be a lot of bright lights,” said Greene before performing at Candlelight for the first time.

OHS students performed on Dec. 3 and will perform again on Dec. 12 and 14.

“Onstage, it’s hot and you’re trying to keep cool,” said junior Gideon Anderson, who has performed before at Candlelight. “It’s also hard to hold the candles still while looking expressive.”

Even though the candles are made of plastic, students must be very careful while holding them to create a uniform, professional appearance.

However, choir students also find time at Disney to have fun.

“Offstage, it’s very social,” Anderson said. Schult agreed that the students expect to have a good time performing.

“I’m really excited because I don’t go to Disney very often,” Greene said before performing. After her first performance, though, Greene was eager to sing in Candlelight again, despite the intensity.

“Everyone was tired and it was a long day, but we were excited to perform again,” she says.