Elizabeth Pham

Mr. Mullinax
Vocal Music III
5/18/16
Millbrook Spring Concert Critique 2016
Millbrook is known in our community as one of the best choirs composed with a
strong mens section. Millbrooks concert was very unique and personal to the choir
members. The choir director Eddie Adams allowed the students to put their own
personal mark in the concert by allowing small groups and soloists to perform. I enjoyed
how they took time before each piece to explain what it means so that the audience
understood the message. Four different choirs performed, including Vocal Music II,
Mens Choir, Womens Chamber, and the most advanced level, the Madrigals.
One of my favorite moments of this concert was being able to witness the Mens
Choir. It was refreshing to see a mens choir with a strong sound because its quite rare
to find that many men participating in choir at Wakefield. They performed a comedic
song called I Wish I Were Single Again, which is a funny/lighthearted song about a
mans relationship with his wives. The way they were able to put their own twist and
personality into this piece had the audience dying in laughter. The soloists were
confident and it made the performance more enjoyable to watch.
The Madrigals were the most immersive choir, and my favorite song that they
performed was Papa Loko, a traditional Haitian song arranged by Sten Kallman. This
song included a drummer who played on a traditional wooden drum while the singers
swayed and sang along to the music. The song started off slow, but once the ad libs

from the soloists started, the song picked up in speed and became very upbeat. The
song was carefree and had a tribal sound that made you feel like you were gathered
with your village just singing together.
A critique that I have would be that their vowels and their projection werent as
round and strong as I wouldve liked it to be, but nevertheless they are a wonderful
choir. When you watch their concert, you can tell that each one of the singers loves
being on the stage and loves what they do. That emotion and passion that the singers
are able to emit makes the whole room feel warm and welcoming. It was an honor to
watch other singers in our community doing what they love.