Tyl Chamber Choir Sang For Legislators at State Capitol

By Ellyn Santiago

The Tyl Middle School Chamber Choir performed the state Capitol in Hartford Thursday, March 28 as part of ArtSlam 2013.

The event was an exhibition of student art and music designed to bring an awareness of arts education to legislators.

The choir, directed by Judy Abrams, Tyl director of choral music, sang as part of a daylong line-up of select student musicians from around the state including a jazz combo, string ensemble and a woodwind quartet. The event was held in the Old Judiciary Room at the Capitol.

Abrams said ArtSlam, and the choir’s participation, sought to “encourage policymakers to keep music, drama and arts education in the public schools.”  

Rep. Betsy Ritter and Rep. Betsy Gallo, among other lawmakers, attended the performance and posed for pictures with the choir afterwards. In addition to the performance, of which a breathtaking rendition of the National Anthem had some in tears, the choir members wrote letters to lawmakers encouraging funding for art in schools.

“The letters have been quite passionate and moving, some bringing tears to my eyes," she said in an email to Patch. “This experience teaches them to use their voices for more than just singing: they learn to be an active voice and get involved in public policy-making.”

Abrams said Ritter was “most gracious and kind in speaking with the students and even posing for pictures.  She was pleased with our performance and we were honored to have her hear us.”

But before the students headed out for the Capitol, they were rewarded in advance!

“Because there was no school that day, parents dropped off their students at Tyl.  I served them breakfast – baked goods, juice and hot cocoa. Big Y of Norwich generously donated delicious, fresh bagels and muffins for us.  We are most grateful to them for their donation,” Abrams said.  

The Tyl Chamber Choir is:   Alan Abutin,  Hailey Adcock, Josh Archibald, Carley Branstrom, RJ Cyr, Hailey Edwards, Max Fish, Kyle Farraher, Kyle Hack, Ze Huang, Danielle Ida, TJ Jackson, Adam Jacques, Christi Johnson, Meagan Jones, Cassandra LaRose, Nicole McDonald, Samantha Mileski, Mya Millbauer, Joel Morth, Brian O'Sullivan, Meghan Plourde, Ryan Radgowski, Karlee Rewers, Brenna Sherbanee, Danielle Sparmer, Nik Strickland, Tenzin Chenyi, Leah Donovan, Jazzy Pluss, Angel Santiago.