From Classroom to Concert Hall

When the Rifle High School Bel Canto choir took the stage at the 2023 Choral Large Group Festival, they not only represented their school but also brought to life the work of Graham Mesa Elementary music teacher Andrew Miller. As the advanced ladies' choir began to sing "As the Sun Opens the Flower," the judges and audience were captivated by the beautiful melody and powerful lyrics.

Rifle High School Choir Director Daryl Gringrich was determined to find a unique and memorable piece for this year's festival. Searching for music to complement the already-selected compositions, he stumbled upon a piece by Miller, and subsequently found "As the Sun Opens the Flower." He was drawn to its beautiful composition. It wasn't until later that he realized the composer was none other than Andrew Miller, a music teacher in the same school district.

Andrew Miller GME Music Teacher

“It was so cool to  be able to do a piece by, by Andrew just because I knew him and some of my choir students have siblings in his choir and in his program. Our accompanist Anna Bagley has kids in his program,” said Gingrich. 

Having a local composer brought a different experience to this year’s competition.

“Andrew came to RHS and worked with the kids. They were able to talk to the composer and get his perspective on not only the music, but the lyrics. He came two different days to work with them,” said Gingrich.

Miller began composing music in his teen age years, and composed more complicated pieces when he was a choir professor at Bismarck State College in North Dakota. Having a choir from Rifle High School perform his piece, was an honor he said.

“I never know how many groups do these pieces. Once they are published, I never really know where they're going. To be in a small community in this new place that we moved to three-years ago, and then to be blessed by something like this is awesome,” he enthused.

When he heard the choir sing his piece, he was more than moved and he expressed his gratitude for being recognized in a small community after moving to a new place.

“It was a huge honor. From the moment I heard them - the moment they opened their mouth so much came flooding back. It just blew me away,” he said. “Then to get the chance to rehearse with them - to stand up in front of them and rehearse a group that's capable, with their mature voices, beautiful harmonies, and just good musical skills - that was exhilarating.”

Four choirs from Rifle High, two from Coal Ridge and two from Rifle Middle School joined schools from across the Western Slope to be a part of the Choral Large Group Festival. They performed for esteemed judges to hone their performance skills and learn from some of the best music educators in the state. The choirs had to perform sight reading from a new piece as well.

Overall, Garfield Re-2’s choirs performed well.  Rifle High School: Bel Canto choir - Excellent performance rating and a Superior sight reading; Treble Choir Excellent performance rating and Superior sight rating; Men’s Choir - Excellent performance rating and Excellent sight rating; Varsity Choir: Superior performance rating and Superior sight rating. Coal Ridge High School: Concert Choir - Superior performance rating and Superior sight rating; Varsity Choir: Excellent performance rating and Superior sight rating. Rifle Middle School: 8th Grade Choir - Excellent performance rating and Superior sight rating; 7th Grade Choir - Excellent performance rating and Superior sight rating.