Each Thursday night, our silent school halls are flooded with melodic sounds of our very own a capella group. “From The Top” is more than just music. The story behind the select choir, and the connection between its members is powerful.
From The Top A Capella consists of 11 members led by choir director Jack Phillipson.
This is the group’s fourth year taking the stage. Following their Midwest Quarter Final, (which is an A capella competition between all of the midwest) they have qualified for semifinals and therefore advanced to the International Competition of High School A Capella (ICHSA).
The first year the choir qualified was in 2020. They unfortunately could not partake due to COVID-19. The second time they qualified was last year in 2023, they placed second at quarter finals. Unfortunately the competition date interfered with the musical ‘Matilda’ that the high school was putting on and many of the members were in both ‘Matilda’ and ‘From the Top’, meaning that sadly their journey ended there and they were not able to partake in the competition.
This year they placed first at quarter finals, and although it conflicted with the musical once again they decided after much consideration to move the opening night of the musical so that the group could participate. The competition consists of each group performing a ten minute set on stage in front of various judges. They are then scored and placed song many groups at the competition.
Creating a mind blowing ten minute show is a lot of work, to decide the set each year the group comes together to pick an important theme that is prevalent to each of them and will enthrall the audience and judges, they then create a show around this theme. Practice practice practice, and then perform.
Director Jack Phillipson loves these discussions and all of the ideas that come up. They always come up with a breathtaking theme together, which is key to an amazing set.
“The group talked a lot about that feeling of self worth and self love, but also realizing that you are worthy of loving yourself by seeing others love you too,” Phillipson said. “Being able to accept that love, whether that is romantic, friendship, or family, in all ways and kinds that love from other people can be the fuel to love ourselves.”
The ability to share a passion for music with those around you leads to strong and lasting friendships and connections. Overall, the choir works together to build a strong and comfortable environment. Freshman Alice Czechowskyj is a new member of the group and thinks that the ability to build relationships with upperclassmen is refreshing.
“There’s a lot of juniors and upperclassmen in the group who would probably have never talked to me outside of this, now if I need something I know I can text them,” Czechowskyj said. “It was a little nerve wracking at first because I am one of two freshmen, and I didn’t really know anyone personally, but it kinda feels like the older people take you under their wing.”
Sophomore Haydin Perry is in awe of the experiences he has had during his two years in the group.He believes that every member in the group deserves to feel loved and appreciated in the group because they are all working toward the same goal.
“We always try to treat newcomers like you aren’t new. We try to make it as welcoming as possible” Perry said.
Perry finds the ability to do something so enjoyable with such great rewards is one of the best things about this group.
“Last year we [the choir] went to ICHSA and Boston, and it just feels unfair that we can do all of these things for just having fun on stage and to be around such amazing people especially when they have the same passion as you to create music.”
Phillipson is amazed by how this year’s group of students work together and how the dynamic is between each of the students. There is a wide range of personalities in the group, but overall they come together in polyphony.
“There’s something about making music with people that creates a really remarkable connection,” Phillipson said. “It’s the laughter, it’s the goofy mistakes that happen that we will always remember and the funny people in the group that always keep a smile on my face. The people that take it really seriously and I just get energy from our students loving it.”
Every group has its issues, junior and second year a capella participant Rory Morter appreciates the way that the group can seamlessly deal with conflict and issues in a respectful and appropriate manner.
“When somebody makes a mistake or somebody doesn’t do something correct, we work to correct each other in a polite way so that we can all work to make this music better,” Morter said. “We give constructive criticism and good input as to improve how we perform.”
In all the chaos, From the Top works together to not only produce music, but form an amazing community of musicians and students, working in perfect harmony.
Although From the Top did not continue on after semi finals they continue to work hard and can’t wait for next year.