Ramsey Kissack

New Concert Chorale presidents Henry Turner and Elaina Pearce were hard at work in front of the full chorus on Monday, as teachers Michael McVey and Mat Lane led the group through its new music.

Last Thursday, September 12th, the Concert Chorale, also known as chorus, heard speeches from several choral presidential candidates. While all five candidates were qualified for the position, two rose to the top.

Henry Turner and Elaina Pearce, two veteran singers for the Friends School of Baltimore music department, spoke on what qualities they would bring to the position. The two share similar qualifying characteristics. Henry and Elaina are heads of both of the school’s a cappella groups, Quaketones and Pleiades respectively. In addition, both have participated in the school musical each year they’ve been at Friends.

Henry, who many considered a shoo-in, also talked about his leadership experience both in and outside of choral endeavors. Along with leading Quaketones, he is also is a senate co-president this year. And his longstanding commitment to the Maryland State Boychoir showed dedication to singing groups.

Elaina, too, gave a speech that listed accomplishments within the Friends School music department, including four years in both Concert Chorale and the audition-only Chamber Choir. She also stressed that she has the organizational skills to take on a job that includes organizing the chorus, taking attendance, and addressing folder issues.

The new co-presidents received the exciting news that they had been chosen on Friday. Elaina says she thinks this “will be a really good year” and that she is “excited to sing again with a slightly different group of people.” Henry has so far been unavailable for comment.

Their terms have swiftly begun, with Henry taking over as president for the Tenor-Bass sectional rehearsal last Friday, and Elaina and Henry working together as co-presidents for the first time this Monday during rehearsal of the full Chamber Choir.