Choir groups from Westerville’s three high schools came together for a special performance in front of Westerville City Hall on Friday, Dec. 10, marking the return of an event that started before the pandemic.
“It means so much,” said Laura Fahning, who teaches choir at WCHS and directs Westerville Central’s choral group, Jazz Central. “This is such a lovely event and such a nice opportunity for the kids to be able to do this, especially this year.”
Along with members of Jazz Central, students from Westerville North’s Notables and Westerville South’s Soundstation gathered on the front steps of City Hall to perform as the One Westerville Holiday Choir. Students sang Christmas carols as onlookers stopped to listen and take videos. Fahning directed students as Dr. Linda Nolan, who leads the choir program at WSHS, and Bridget Kohls, who subbed for WNHS choir director Liz Brosius, looked on.
The group previously staged an outdoor holiday performance two years ago at the invitation of Uptown Westerville Executive Director Lynn Aventino and WCSD Board Member Dr. Nancy Nestor-Baker, who also serves on Uptown Westerville’s board.
The pandemic halted plans last year; Fahning was grateful to receive the invitation to perform last week.
“Typically we have a lot of opportunities to perform but this year since it’s a little bit different, this makes it all the more special this year,” she said.