D-Day concert provides lasting impact

“Where words fail, music speaks.” ― Hans Christian Andersen (Danish author)

The Carroll County High School Chorus knew they were in for the trip of a lifetime when they traveled to Washington, D.C on June 4th-6th this year to perform a 60-minute concert in the nation’s capital as part of the D-Day 80th Commemoration Concert Series. In preparation for the massive honor, CCHS Choral Director Patricia Lineberry took her students to Bedford to visit the National D-Day Memorial as well as studied and researched the significance of D-Day throughout the year. While all this served to give the students a better understanding of history and of the magnitude of what they were about to do, nothing could have prepared them for what happened once they actually began singing for a group of American veterans and their spouses/families.

“I think the experience was even better than we ever imagined it would be. The opportunities we had to see the different sights and visit the different monuments was truly meaningful, but when we started singing for those veterans, it was simply unbelievable,” Lineberry said. “We started our concert with the National Anthem and I could hear the audience behind me singing with us and I thought, ‘Oh, this is going to be the best concert ever.’ While the kids were singing, I could watch their faces and I could see the realization dawn on them that this is what we have been working for all year long. They were watching the often emotional reaction of the veterans and their families and they just fed off that. It enhanced their performance far beyond anything I could have ever imagined or hoped for.”

While in D.C., Carroll students were able to soak in much of the history and sights, including visits to the Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol, and even got their photo taken in front of the White House. During the trip, the CCHS contingent were honored to be able to take in a clinic with Captain Bonnie Alger, Director of the United States Army Chorus. “The U.S. Army Chorus is well renowned and performs all over the country and the world, so to be able to have her work with us was truly an honor,” Lineberry stated. Adding an extra layer of excitement to the clinic was the fact that it was held in the historic New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, the same church Abraham Lincoln often attended during his presidency.

“The church was beautiful and the students immediately noticed the acoustics of the building as they were singing. Dr. (Captain) Alger worked with them for 90 minutes on three songs and taught them different techniques and suggestions to enhance their performance. She also answered some questions, and there were several students who really responded to her on a more personal level because their future plans involved being in the military and they were excited they could do music as well,” Lineberry said. “It was very good for those students. All the kids benefited from the clinic, but I did as well. I am always wanting to learn things to make me a better director and this was a learning opportunity for me as well.”

But all of that paled in comparison to the main event. While in D.C., the CCHS Chorus performed its D-Day Concert at The Fairfax at Belvoir Woods, a retirement community for veterans and their spouses, adjacent to Fort Belvoir. Prior to the event, the facility provided the students with light refreshments and “made us feel welcome.” After the concert, Lineberry said Cavalier Chorus members were able to mingle with the veterans and residents in the community.

“Just to watch the kids interact with the veterans made it all worthwhile. We could see the impact our music had on them,” Lineberry said. “We sang a tribute to the armed forces and when each branch was recognized, the veterans were ready for their branch to start so they could stand up and salute. When we did the Battle Hymn of Republic, one gentleman saluted practically the entire song,” Lineberry said. “For the kids to see their music make such an impact, that is what you want. Afterwards, the veterans and spouses came up to us and told us we were the best chorus they ever had.

Lineberry said the veterans and other attendees stated Carroll’s repertoire was perfect. We began with The Star Spangled Banner to a handful of period songs from the 1930s and 40s, including Sing, Sing, Sing; Favorites From the Rat Pack, and A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square. The chorus then performed various spiritual and sacred songs, including My Heart Be Brave, Witness, Simple Gifts, and Stand By Me. The Cavalier Chorus concluded with a patriotic selection of songs which included Song for the Unsung Hero, A Tribute to the Armed Services, We Remember Them, and Battle Hymn of the Republic.

“It was so well received and they went on and on about how each song meant something to them. Even the directors and staff at the Fairfax came up and were echoing the sentiments that we were the best chorus they’ve had, and they’ve had many. That meant a lot,” Lineberry said. “Just watching the expression on their faces as the veterans talked to the kids, I could see that all the hard work, the extra practices, the performances, it meant something now.”

After the concert, Lineberry and the high school chorus made one last visit — to the Arlington National Cemetery. It was an incredible experience and one the CCHS Choral Director encourages anyone to do.

“It was so humbling there, especially when you look out on the rows and rows of graves and realize the sacrifices that have been made throughout the years. Our guide told us that it wasn’t unheard of to have up to 27 funerals a day at Arlington. While we were there, within a 2-hour period, we heard three separate 21-gun salutes, indicating a funeral was occurring. We saw the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. There is a certain reverence to that cemetery, but when you walk up the hill to where the Tomb is, you can feel a change in the air. There is even more of a solemn reverence and it’s even more special. It is hard to describe the experience in words.” Lineberry said.

“We did have the opportunity to lay a wreath at the World War II Memorial. In deciding who would get to participate in that ceremony, I had already decided to let the wreath ceremony be my graduating seniors’ last act with us all as we watched. That was pretty meaningful as well, especially to get to do this on D-Day and commemorate the 80th anniversary.

This trip was definitely the opportunity of a lifetime. I think every one of the kids realized that while we were singing because they would look out and just feed off the expressions and the cheers and the emotions the veterans and spouses were giving back to us. It made it emotional for all of us. It was a chance for them to understand the importance of that day in history, and I hope they will never forget what they have learned. Music has a way of stirring emotions and that was so evident on the people’s faces we sang for and it was evident on the kids while we were performing. Any parent that went would echo the sentiment, that these kids gave a performance of a lifetime. They laid it out there and truly sang from their hearts because they realized how special and important this opportunity was and they would never be able to experience this moment again. They represented themselves, CCHS and our county extremely well, not just in their singing, but just the fact that they are good people and an amazing bunch of kids. I was so proud to be able to take them up there and show them off.”

Allen Worrell can be reached at (276) 779-4062 or on X@AWorrellTCN