Shen-Val-Lore The Student Voice of Shenandoah Valley Academy
Shenandoah Valley Academy
December 11, 2024
Volume 94, Edition 2
Upcoming Events January 19-5
Christmas Break
11
SA Event
15
Underclassmen & Staff Picture Retakes
17-18
Leadership Retreat
22
P.E. Ski Trip
25
Music Nite
26
Career Day
29-2 Andrews Basketball Tournament
February
NAD President’s Concert
29-2 Andrews Basketball Tournament
Samantha Trigo On the crisp morning of Sabbath, November 2, at 7:15 am, all of Shens and Orchestra met at the music department to begin loading. It was going to be a long day. The night before had been truly a hectic one, for the dear music directors. Mrs. Wiedemann-Jaen and Mr. Biaggi, were doing their communicating remotely, as Mr. Biaggi and handbells were over 450 miles away closing the Ringfest sacred concert in Toledo, Ohio. Things were not looking great. The big coach bus was deemed “not working.” Biaggi with his 14 ringers were trying to survive off of three hours of sleep. Mrs. Wiedemann-Jaen was scrambling. However, they did not show their panic to us musicians. Someone give our music directors an award for most hardworking! Back at SVA, the music department struggled to fit all the equipment needed into the two smaller buses they were now taking. Because of this, there was a delay in the departure time; they had to be at the NAD no later than 10:15 for the first performance. While
all this was occurring, the smaller group with Biaggi was catching up on sleep with the little time they had. Shoutout to Mr. and Mrs. Biaggi Senior who so generously let the ringers lodge at their house and provided a very nourishing breakfast for us. When Biaggi heard the news of the delay, he came up with a plan B in case they didn’t arrive on time. Bells might have to perform at the NAD if the other two buses didn’t show up in time. We quickly packed up and headed towards Columbia, Maryland. Once the handbells bus made it to the NAD, we quickly unloaded our instruments and rushed inside. The music coordinator kindly greeted us and led us all into a small amphitheater where we could station ourselves until the performance. There was a slight look of concern on her face when she realized that the rest of the music department had still not arrived. Mr. Biaggi assured her that they would be there soon, and she was satisfied. With no more than ten minutes left on the clock, the two buses finally arrived and the
Table of Contents 1
2
NAD President’s Concert Homeless Trip Campus Ministries
3
Church Campout Church Connect
4
Barn Party
5
Through the Garden Gates
6
RingFest
7
Other Events
8
Crossword
musicians quickly unloaded and got into place. There wasn’t much time until the first performance. Without even tuning as a group, we all quickly went on stage. The stage was quite odd but somehow we all managed to take our seats and be ready for the first song. “I went to the bathroom for a minute and when I came back I was so pleasantly surprised to see that everyone was seated exactly where they were supposed to be without much complication,” was how Mrs. Wied-Jaen described it. The audience would have never guessed that the buses had only just made it to the NAD a few minutes ago. As the offering was called, the orchestra prepared for “All Glory, Laud, and Honor.” Fun fact about this piece, the orchestra only received it a mere three days before this performance. However, many would say it was very well executed. As the orchestra was playing, Shens lined up behind them for the next piece. They waited for the cue of the piano and Mr. Biaggi’s careful hand movements to
start “Nothing Can Separate Us from the Love of God.” As Emily Wetmore began the solo, followed by Samuel Girven, the audience was in awe of the sweet melody. Because we were only performing two songs in the morning, we were directed back into the amphitheater after our short performance. From there we were able to watch the livestream of the service (or catch up on some sleep). Following the service, we were welcomed to a delightful lunch prepared by the NAD staff and then given some more time to rest. Soon 3:00 came around and Shens began to warm up while the orchestra had a sound check in the worship room. As the audience slowly began shuffling in to find their seats, we put our instruments down and waited for the concert to begin. After a warm welcome by Dr. Bryant and an opening prayer, the NAD President’s Concert had finally begun. The mixture of tunes and style captivated the audience and kept them applauding for more. By the end of it, we were exhausted but proud of the good work that we had done.
5-9
Homeleave
12
ASVAB PreACT Activity Day
12-15
WAU Choral Festival
15
Basketball Senior Night
16
JV Basketball Tournament
17-21
Week of Prayer
22-23 Middle School Basketball Tournament 28
ROK Vespers
March 1
Talent Show
2
Faculty Family
7
3rd Quarter Ends
9 SAT Boys/Girls Club Activity 12-24 13 13-24
Mission Trip ACT Spring Break
26-29 Mission Emphasis Week 30-2
Senior Andrews Trip
31
Junior Religion Trip