When the call went out from the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore asking for a children’s chorus to sing with American Idol star Clay Aiken in concert on Saturday, December 4, Maryland State Delegate Bobby Zirkin immediately thought of the Fort Garrison Elementary “Clarke's Larks Chorus!” Delegate Zirkin called Principal Susan Hershfeld on the 1st of December to book this prestigious engagement for the fifth grade choral group. Pleased, excited, and honored, the school accepted the unique invitation. Under the direction of Connie Clarke, vocal music teacher, and with only two days until the big night, the “Clarke's Larks” started to rehearse.
Over thirty Fort Garrison choral students arrived at the Symphony Hall on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. to rehearse, this time with Aiken and his back-up singers, for the 8:00 p.m. show. The group performed two selections with Clay Aiken in the sold-out spectacular holiday show. One student performed a solo, and other individual students read passages during a holiday song. Aiken’s The Joyful Noise Tour also included members of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, who accompanied Aiken and the students throughout the show.
American Idol pop star Aiken was gracious and complimentary of the students, remarking about their professionalism and musical ability. Needless to say, the “Clarke’s Larks” reciprocated the sentiments!

 

 

 

 

 

More photos of Fort Garrison students backstage at the Meyerhoff

Story by Marjorie Hampson, Communications Specialist Photos by Phyllis Rosen, Fort Garrison Technology Integration Teacher