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Barry is no stranger to directing expansive choirs. Last year, she visited Washington state and helped unite the voices of over 500 students. Events such as these bring together large groups of students, and the stunning culmination is a result of many months of rehearsal and the passion each participant has for music.

“I love when I can visit a group I don't know and see how I can help them improve in only fifteen minutes, an hour, or an entire day,” Barry said. “I love that challenge, and I love the experience of bringing kids together.”

The Choralfest brought together a group of students with a broad range of ages and experiences. Students in the second grade through twelfth grade participated in the event.

Barry helped facilitate a day of workshops with the eight schools in the district: three elementary schools, four middle schools, and one high school. The event culminated in an evening concert with all of the respective choirs performing, in addition to a combined choir performance of 250 students.

With an entire decade of age and experience between the youngest and oldest students participating, the diversity of voices made for a rich tapestry.

“Vocally it’s so lovely because you’ve got that vocal quality and range: the brightness of the kids’ voices supported by the warmth of the older adolescent voices,” Barry said. “But it’s also about community. It's a unique opportunity to bring 250 kids together who can share the same experience on stage.”

The combined choir sang Sisi Ni Moja by Jacob Narverud. The piece is in Swahili and translates to “we are one.”

“We chose the piece Sisi Ni Moja to represent the singers who were from all backgrounds, ages, and experiences, and yet, we can still come together to share something special and unique,” Barry said. “The text of the song very much represents that sentiment.”

Itzel Lobo '24, a senior music education student who just completed her student teaching at Zion-Benton Township High School, was also present at the festival. “My experience at the choral fest was hectic, fun, and rewarding. It was nice to hear all the schools get together and perform one piece,” she said. 

Music education major Kathia Torres ’24, also a senior who completed her student teaching semester at Grant High School, assisted in conducting at another festival earlier this semester for which Barry was a clinician–The North Shore Conference High Schools Choral festival. Torres found the experience to be a powerful one.

“Conducting is a collaborative practice. It takes time to build trust with a choir,” she explained. “When I was standing in front of my students waiting for our time to sing, it was surreal. These times on stage are some of the most valuable experiences I will remember from student teaching. Their response to my passionate gestures and facial expressions were magical.”

Barry loves leading these great events, but a particular joy at both festivals was the opportunity to share the stage with Lake Forest College students Lobo and Torres, and also with Hailee Fair, an alum who is now teaching choir in the Zion-Benton district. Barry noted, “We were proud to have such strong Lake Forest College presence on both stages!”