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Yale Spizzwinks(?) at Saint David's


Yesterday, the Yale Spizzwinks(?), America's oldest undergraduate a cappella group, provided a morning workshop and concert for Upper School boys.

In the early morning Master Class with our Chamber Singers, the Spizzwinks(?) stressed the importance of a physical warm-up prior to singing: "You are your instrument." Soft/hard palates, explosive consonants, and solid advice about bringing a song to life rounded out the lesson.

During the concert of jazz standards and contemporary songs that followed, these energetic young men and women wowed our boys with their wonderful singing, intricate harmonies, and hilarious stories. They told one famous story about their rivals from Harvard that the boys all loved. The concert closed with the Chamber Singers joining the Spizzwinks(?) onstage for a rendition of Let It Be (see video clip below), which they had workshopped together earlier that morning. Thrilled to share the stage with such a renowned group of singers, our boys were inspired by the living example of what may be possible for them just a few years down the road. 

With our school program's grounding in the classical ideal of balance, we present several pathways for boys to discover and pursue their talents and interests, eliciting a joyful balance in life. Our boys are empowered to express who they are as individuals. For some of our boys, it’s solving a challenge in the science lab, for others it's playing on the soccer team, or working to bring a song to life in Chamber Singers. The message is clear: Be inspired. Find your joy, follow that path. Be you.

The reaction of one of our Chamber Singers at the close of yesterday's visit says it all: "This was the best day of my life!"

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