Each spring, the Edina High School choir performs “Current Jam,” a pop variety show that features the year’s hit radio songs. The performance is wildly popular among choir participants and spectators alike. Choir member and high school senior Kristin Beese says, “Most people join high school choir to participate in the spring concert,” Fellow senior and choir member Jack Halverson agrees, saying, “People who usually aren’t involved in music will do choir.”
Senior Erin Henderson emphasizes how enjoyable the Current Jam performance is for the audience.“We perform [Current Jam] five different times because the community loves watching all the variety in the performance,” she says.
Senior Zach Farhat looks forward to breaking away from the norm of more typical choir performances. “I love that we get to dance and dress up,” he says. “It’s a nice change from standing on bleachers and wearing robes.”
Edina High School choir director David Henderson sang professionally in New York City and took part in VocalEssence – a world-renowned choral music organization in the Twin Cities area – before entering the classroom in 1997. “[Now] I prepare students to be part of Vocal Essence,” he says.
Beese, Halverson, Henderson, and Farhat have all been involved in school choir since their middle school years and all plan to continue singing in some capacity after graduation, whether through an organization like VocalEssence or in an educational setting. Farhat plans to get a degree in music education. “I would love to teach high school [music],” he says, “but I’ll take whatever comes my way.”
For more information or to purchase tickets to “Current Jam,” visit currentjam.com
WHAT: “Current Jam”
WHEN: May 28-31
WHERE: Edina High School, 6754 Valley View Road
