Superintendent Tracey Miller took a few minutes during the Nov. 16 Board of Education meeting to celebrate the New Richmond High School Troubadours and the group’s directors, Elizabeth Hannah and Paige McConnell.
The Troubadours were one of several musical performance groups in Ohio to be selected to perform at the annual Ohio School Board Association’s Capital Conference. Due to the pandemic, this year’s conference was virtual. To be considered for the Student Showcase, all performance groups submitted audition videos. In turn, the videos of successful applicants were featured in the showcase.
Ms. Hannah and Ms. McConnell both jumped at the performance opportunity when they learned about it. Eagerness and innovation are hallmarks of these talented instructors who, during a school year like no other, have gracefully met the challenges head-on finding ways for choir students to continue doing what they love most, Miller said.
The performance video of the Troubadours singing "Make Them Hear You" from the Broadway musical "Ragtime" was presented during the Board meeting. The performance is available on YouTube at this link: https://youtu.be/Uie7ePpnTV0
“They are just outstanding, our Troubadours and our fantastic directors,” Mr. Miller said. “The students didn’t just walk in the school doors and sing this song. It’s another example of the great things happening in this district. Nobody signed on for this pandemic, but we’re trying our best to make it work.
“I can’t imagine how difficult it was to sing those beautiful harmonies and stand six feet apart with masks on. But the students deserve much credit and the instructors did an outstanding performance.”
Board Member Todd Wells also complimented the performance and said equally good was the outdoor choir concert recently presented in the NRHS athletic stadium. “They did an outstanding, outstanding job,” he said.