By Maya Gambhir, Staff Writer
As graduation for the class of 2026 approaches quickly, one group in preparation and rehearsal stages is River Hill’s Chamber Choir. Every year, the choir takes the stage to open the ceremony, which will take place this year on the evening of Thursday, May 28.
For seniors who have been in the choir, this is not their first time on the Merriweather stage.
“Everyone in Chamber sings at graduation all together each year, and it’s always a really special experience since it’s the last time the group gets to sing a piece together, but it’s the seniors who get to sing the national anthem,” says senior Sharvi Wankhade.
This year, the supplemental piece that has been in rehearsal for months by the group is a composition of Landslide by Fleetwood Mac, a staple of the graduation season for many.
“It’s been hard with AP season, but we’ve been rehearsing for weeks, and it was really emotional. We’re so, so proud of it since it’s a super difficult piece and it was primarily student-run,” says Junior Ryan Rhee.
Sharvi Wankhade has been a member of Chamber Choir since her junior year, participating in the choir program since elementary school, as well as the Hawkapella club, all four years of high school.
She says, “In such an academically rigorous environment like River Hill, I can come into Choir and know exactly what is going on, and it truly is like a family that has been an important part of my high school experience.”
However, due to time constraints, the program was initially unable to accommodate the chamber choir’s performance of Landslide, which sparked controversy among students as well as faculty, all of whom want the best experience possible for our seniors and their families.
“Once we heard we wouldn’t be allowed to sing, we made a petition to show how students were actually really excited to hear us. In past years, we also know that there have been solos at graduation, and we know that a lot of other schools have additional choir performances,” explains Wankhade.
After careful consideration and logistical adjustments, RHHS Administration was able to add the song to the program, honoring student voice and the hard work of our chamber choir.
“I’m glad it’s all working out since most of our choir is seniors and one more song together feels like the right way to close out the year,” says senior Maya Aminian.
Thanks to the hard work of student leaders, singers, and our wonderful graduation coordinators, this upcoming Thursday, River Hill Chamber Choir’s extraordinarily talented members will get their moment to shine, making the ceremony an unforgettable experience for all.