Lake Braddock Chorus
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The Lake Braddock Chorus are a high school group that consists of 5 different choirs, that are part of the Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Virginia. The choral groups are under the direction of Megan Cartwright. The five choirs are divided by skill level, as well as divided by the requirement of audition. The Men's Choir, Women's Vocal Ensemble and the female Freshmen in Bel Canto make up the non-auditioned choirs. There are as well two other choir groups that require audtions: Women's Select and Symphonic Chorale. The choirs have been very successful at competitions, winning almost every catergory they entered in 2006 in Nashville. In 2007 the choir performed in New York City near the site of the former World Trade Center buildings. The choirs also have turned out several highly successful singers, including a quarterfinalist for American Idol, and a handful of performers in musical theatre.
Men's Choir
Men's Choir is the only all male choir at Lake Braddock. Most men wishing to become members of Symphonic Chorale pass thru this class. Men's Choir is made up of as many boys as can be recruited at any one time. The work that Mrs. Cartwright does with them often varies. They compete and sing with Women's Vocal Ensemble; though, they sometimes perform on their own in the Spring concert.
Lake Braddock Singers
The group formally known as Symphonic Chorale is the only completely mixed choir currently consisting of 7 Sopranos, 7 Altos, 7 Tenors and 7 Basses. Each of the four sections is divided into two subsections of three to four singers. The choir sings primarily a cappella music however they are expected to sing with the rest of the choirs during the major works and Disney Concerts. The group is also encouraged, by the conductor, to help the non-auditioned choirs with their music.
The changing of the name from Symphonic Chorale to Lake Braddock Singers was made Mrs. Cartwright (the director) in 2007 for the 2007-2008 school year. The name was changed because of a discrepency between the term "symphonic chorale" and the actual music sung by the choir. The Lake Braddock for the 2007-2008 year will be smaller than the 2006-2007 Symphonic Chorale, consisting of only 6 altos and sopranos and an undecided number of male singers.
Select Women
Select Women is a traditional womens choir of approximately 35 10th-12th graders, the number varies from year to year. It is one of the two auditioned choirs at Lake Braddock, the other being Symphonic Chorale. Select Women sing in four parts regularly. As members of one of Lake Braddocks top choirs they are expected to be leaders in the Lake Braddock Choral program.