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Spring is trying

4/4/2025

Every season has its own vibe. Spring in these parts always seems to start and then reboot. That might be the case again as the temperatures are expected to plummet again in a couple days. Perhaps picking these beauties and putting them in a vase inside can made it seem like spring indoors.

The deer are also about again looking for new things to chomp on, though they don't seem to care for forsythia of daffodils.

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Franklin choir to be showcased with the state's best

4/3/2025

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The Franklin High School chorale group Madrigal has been awarded an opportunity to sing at the annual Pennsylvania Music Educators Associations all-state concert featuring the best the Commonwealth has to offer.

They will be performing April 10 at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Pocono Manor.

As a warm for the big event, choral director Sarah Gilbert and her singers will put on the free public show at 7 p.m. Saturday at St. John’s Episcopal Church at 1145 Buffalo Street in Franklin.

The concert will include all the PMEA performance music plus three solos and duet.

“This will be a sort of preview performance,” said Gilbert who wanted family and community members who are not a part of the conference to see this talented group of singers.

The Madrigal have been around the Franklin community for years. “Its identity has changed throughout the years, but it has always been a small ensemble choir. It’s a very big part of Franklin choir’s tradition,” Gilbert said. “It gives students the opportunity to be in a more advanced choral ensemble as a part of their high school music education. For those singing students that need an additional challenge, this is the perfect place for them.”

Gilbert said the school district has been very supportive of the trip and how it gives these students a bigger stage and spread their music to hundreds more across the state.

“The smaller group size allows for us to commit to being a part of community events throughout the year that would be less possible for our full-size group. We are also more able to travel outside of our own town to represent our community as well,” Gilbert added.

And that is beneficial for these aspiring vocalists by adding more experiences to their oeuvre.

“Students in this group work at an accelerated pace, so their skills are growing at an even faster rate, which makes singing after high school even more possible," Gilbert explained. “They also get to be a part of experiences that are more out of the norm, like singing with the Stambaugh Chorus in Youngstown, at Carnegie Hall, or for the PMEA All-State Conference. The advanced ability of this group in particular and the high level of skill they have allows for these additional opportunities to take place - things that are beyond their normal school choir opportunities.”

Saturday’s concert will be at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church at 1145 Buffalo Street in Franklin. It is free and open to the public and a great way to support the arts.

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Spring is trying

Franklin choir to be showcased with the state's best

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