The Major Works Concert, an extraordinary afternoon of choral music, will be presented at 4 o’clock on Sunday, Nov. 6, at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church.

In a region blessed with talented musicians, this performance stands out because the singers and instrumentalists are high school students at Robinson Secondary School.

The Major Works Concert features the voices of The Select Women's Ensemble and the Robinson Singers, accompanied by the Robinson Chamber Orchestra. Mike Horanski, who is Director of High School Choral Activities at Robinson, is the conductor of this challenging performance -- and its inspiration.

After arriving at Robinson in 2005, Mr. H. offered the first Major Works Concert the following year. The event has become an anticipated tradition. Celebrated pieces by classical composers such as Pergolesi, Vivaldi and Schubert have alternated with contemporary pieces by Eric Whitacre, Glenn McClure and Jackson Berkey. (If you are not familiar with the latter composers, check them out on the Internet. Their music is gorgeous!)

This year, the students will perform Josef Rheinberger’s Messe in A and Mozart’s Solemn Vespers. Horanski selected these pieces because he “likes to vary the genre, and the students haven’t done anything by Mozart” before. When choosing music, he carefully considers the voices of his students. Which pieces will spotlight their abilities and training? 

Students have rehearsed for this demanding performance since August. They practiced while many of their friends relaxed at the pool. They practiced with Mr. Horanski at lunch, after school, and on Saturdays. Burke resident Matthew Burnard said it was “really hard.” Maya Davis, who lives in Fairfax Station, remarked with a smile that all the singing required “extra stamina.”

The students have positive attitudes. The hours of practice made Mary Meier feel “really accomplished.” Although Andrew Zylstra commented that “the Latin was tough” to learn, he felt the Major Works Concert was well worth the time he has devoted to it.

Matthew Burnard summed up the thoughts of the musicians: “We’re fortunate to be singing with an orchestra and with such dedicated people.”

Attitudes, like colds, spread from person to person. You only have to look at and listen to Mike Horanski when he’s teaching to understand where the students “caught” their positive attitudes. 

At a rehearsal on Wednesday, the most heavenly sounds resonated through the practice room. Were we in a European cathedral or a school in Fairfax County? When Mr. H. teaches, he sings, he taps his foot, he conducts, he claps his hands for emphasis. Every moment is a “teachable moment.”

The young musicians obviously like being around such a personable teacher. Sometimes he is funny. Talking about warming up before a concert, he began to imitate an orchestra tuning up. Referring to several bars of music that a soloist would sing, he said, “Skip the next part. I can’t play it anyway.” The students smiled.

When Mr. Horanski made suggestions, his words were gentle. “Sopranos, can you be more fierce?" Reminding the singers to avoid distractions, he spoke softly. "Don't waste your focus. You're doing a really good job.”  

Mr. H. also stressed the importance of thinking about music. “Think about what you need to do to make every entrance successful,” he reiterated. “Think; don’t audiate. Try to find the key in your minds,” instead of singing or humming it.

Mr. Horanski gave meaningful praise, the kind that instructs and encourages. “Your 16th notes are really crisp. That’s a signature of Mozart. Be like that tomorrow, the next rehearsal and Saturday. Go into every rehearsal like you’re going into the concert.”

But most of all, he concluded, “Enjoy the music. In your singing life, this work by Mozart will be one of the Top Ten most beautiful so enjoy it while you’re singing.” 

During the rehearsal, which lasted almost two hours, the singers were on-task 100% of the time. They did enjoy their music, as they continued their intense preparation for the Major Works Concert.

Now it’s almost time for us, the audience, to enjoy this breathtaking program on Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church.

For more information about tickets and the location of the church, visit the website of the James W. Robinson High School Chorus (www.robinsonsings.org).