For our student-musicians and artists, performance and display are the culmination of months of preparation, rehearsal, and hard work. The month of May provided several opportunities for FGR students and alumni to showcase their talents in visual arts, vocal performance, and instrumental performance topping off an exceptional year of state-wide accolades.
On May 7th, the Choir, Concert Band, and Madrigals Honors Choir took to the stage at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre to the delight of a full house of concertgoers.
Choir and Band
Starting off the evening, the Choir performed three pieces of sacred music. Laudate Dominum, Cantate Domino, and How Can I Keep from Singing?, showcasing the work the group has done with just a few months of preparation. The Band wowed the audience with a delightful variety of pieces such as The Nathan Hale Trilogy, Benediction, a Les Misérables Medley, and Meditation from Thais. The musicians topped off their set with the Rubber Chicken Gallop, a joyful and fun piece employing the use of rubber chickens in addition to their instruments.
Before the Madrigals took the stage, a barbershop quartet consisting of Grayson Pavivich ’26, Peter Ross ’26, Aidan McClelland ’27, and Juan Pablo Pennings ’26 performed a Fiddler Medley arranged by Juan Pablo that allowed audience members to relive last spring’s FGR Drama Club performance of Fiddler on the Roof.
Madrigals and More
Bringing more sacred music to the stage, the Madrigals performed four pieces, In the Beginning, Daemon Irrepit Callidus, Ave Maria, Sicut Vervusv, before being joined on stage by the band and choir for When You Believe, from “The Prince of Egypt.” The concert ended with a rousing rendition of “O God Beyond All Praising” in which the audience was encouraged to participate.
Student and Alumni Art and Music
This year, the Spring Art Show was combined with the annual Madrilums Concert on May 28th and featured current student-artists as well as the work of several alumni. The evening provided an opportunity for nearly thirty alumni of the Madrigals program to join current students in performing a repertoire that spans the decades. Returning Madrigals voted on which pieces to perform, rehearsed prior to the concert, and just had a ton of fun filling the newly renovated chapel with music that honors the history of the program and glorifies the Lord. Pieces included Be Thou My Vision, Can’t Help Falling in Love, Didn’t the Lord Deliver Daniel, and Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal among others.
Art Gallery
Just outside, the main hallway was transformed into an art gallery as talented student and alumni artists displayed their paintings, drawings, iconography, and sculptures to be viewed by concert-goers and art enthusiasts. Featured artists included Teresa Castillo ’26, Gabriel Cherney ’26, Charlie Palko ’26, Rose Buonerba ’27, Cleo Galka ’26, Kinley Girardot ’29, Yebon Jeong ’26, Nora Kolozsvary ’27, Lily Mayer ’26, Arianna Prezecki ’26, and Edwardo Ramirez ’26. Alumni artists included Miriam (Wong) Targett ’18, Theresa DiFranco ’19, Riley Mason-Schickel ’22, Rachel (Borders) Montgomery ’05, and Katherine (Estey) Fil ’19, and their pieces inspired younger students and older viewers alike.
The evening was capped off with a reception that provided an opportunity for alumni to catch up and families to enjoy time together as the school year wound to a close and they looked forward to summer. To view the artwork, please visit our Facebook page.
Exceptional Performances and Experiences
All-State Honors
FGR students were also recognized for their vocal and instrumental talents on the regional and state level this year. Earlier in the day on May 7th, Grayson, Peter, and Juan Pablo had traveled to East Lansing to prepare for the MSVMA All-State Honors Choir performance the following weekend. This elite choir is comprised of approximately 80 of the best high school vocalists in the state of Michigan and the men earned their spots with private performances for the choir directors while participating in the MSVMA Regional Honors Choir earlier in the year.
Additionally, Grayson, Juan Pablo, and Aidan had been selected for the TTBB State Honors Choir, while Peter and Lydia Schneider ’26 had earned spots in the SATB State Honors Choir. The five students had participated in a three-day event in Grand Rapids earlier this spring which culminated in a concert at the Betsy DeVos Center.
Instrumentalist Accolades
In March, violinist Ireland Perttunen ’26, flutist Kennedy Humphries ’27, and clarinetist Alicia Zawistowski ’27 competed in the State Solo and Ensemble Festival at which they all earned First Division Ratings. This success came after their participation in the MSBOA Solo and Ensemble Festival in late January at which FGR musicians earned Second Division Ratings in four events and First Division Ratings in six events. Our flute quartet and our clarinet quartet each earned First Division Ratings, while soloists Ireland, Kennedy, Amelia Long ’27, and Alicia also earned First Division Ratings.
Also in March, the FGR Concert Band competed in the MSBOA Band and Orchestra Festival. Our outstanding band earned First Division Ratings from all three concert judges and a First Division Rating from the sight-reading judge for an overall First Division Rating. The 2026 Festival marked the third year in a row that the band has earned First Division honors. Meanwhile, the Madrigals turned in a phenomenal performance at the MSVMA District Choral Festival. They earned an outstanding score of 118/120 excellent, highlighted by a perfect sight-reading score, a perfect score from one judge, and just one point off from each of the other two judges.
Finally, Ireland had also performed with the All-State Orchestra at the Michigan Music Conference in January, an honor for which she had been selected in October after auditioning with thousands of students across the state.
On the Horizon
Next spring, Madrigals and Choir students for the 2026-2027 school year will be embarking on a Sacred Music Pilgrimage to Ireland. The June trip will be in conjunction with St. Francis of Assisi Middle School Choir and features visits to Ireland’s sacred music performance venues, Catholic heritage, and cultural experiences. Ireland native, Fr. James Conlin, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Ann Arbor will serve as spiritual director for the trip.