Oak Park and River Forest High School students will present a spring choral concert inspired by movie music on April 16, according to an announcement made on Apr. 8. The event will feature about 250 students from choir, orchestra, and select band ensembles performing songs from well-known films such as Skyfall, The Muppet Movie, Encanto, Star Wars, and Hairspray.
The concert aims to highlight the collaborative spirit among students with different backgrounds who share a passion for music. Choir Director Meredith McGuire said, “You’ve got all these kids with different backgrounds and experiences, and they’re all in the same room with this one common thing, which is that they all love to sing and they all love music. I just think that’s really special.”
Preparation for the performance began in February. McGuire said the ambitious timeline has generated excitement as each choir group is performing more pieces than usual. The program includes a first half focused on choir performances followed by orchestra selections and concludes with a combined finale featuring large-group pieces. A notable moment will be the closing number “I Know Where I’ve Been” from Hairspray performed alongside an OPRF alumna.
McGuire emphasized student involvement in shaping the program: “That’s a big collaboration,” she said. “They’re working together to decide what they want to do.” She also described her commitment to creating an environment where students feel supported: “There’s so much competition in the school. There’s so much stress and high pressure,” McGuire said. “I want kids to feel that they can come here and just grow musically and feel safe to do it.”
The event will include theatrical elements such as a choreographed lightsaber duel during “Duel of the Fates.” As discussions continue regarding future facility improvements under Act 3 at Oak Park and River Forest High School (OPRF), McGuire noted her hopes for updated performing arts spaces focusing on accessibility, natural light, ventilation, acoustics, and flexible rehearsal areas.
Oak Park and River Forest High School serves grades nine through twelve with an enrollment of 3,393 during the 2019-2020 school year; it is located in Oak Park within Cook County according to Illinois Report Card. In that period grade ten had the highest concentration of students at 26.2 percent according to Illinois Report Card, while grades nine through twelve each represented roughly one quarter of total enrollment according to Illinois Report Card. The student body was composed of approximately 56.9 percent white students, 18.2 percent black students, 12.6 percent Hispanic students, and 3.8 percent Asian students during that year according to Illinois Report Card.
McGuire concluded by acknowledging student efforts: “We just get to do these amazing things because of the work that they’re doing.” The upcoming concert offers an opportunity for community members to witness student talent while supporting their ongoing artistic growth.
