A Musical Journey

Despite her age, Godwin sophomore Anna Riley is already on a strong musical trajectory. Riley is a member of Godwin’s Ala Rossa choir, the choir that highlights our treble singers’ talent and dedication. 

Anna Riley went to high school in North Carolina for her freshman year and then came to Godwin for her sophomore year. Although new to Godwin, Riley joined chorus teacher Jacob Saunders-Devol’s program, the Ala Rossa Choir, auditioning with “Colors of the Wind.” 

Devol said, “I was excited about her unique background and how it added to the group.”

With this new opportunity, Riley joins singers who have past Godwin choir experience, while only being a newcomer to Godwin this year. 

Along with having a vocal range spanning from Soprano 1 to Alto 2, Riley’s musical skills extend beyond her vocal talents. She can play multiple instruments, such as the ukulele, guitar,  piano, and even the flute, which she played in fifth grade. 

Riley used to only sing Soprano, but through joining this new choir, she has learned that she can sing in her lower register as an Alto as well. Having a large range can open up many possibilities for singers.

When asked how she felt about being the 21st member of the choir, Riley said, “I was super surprised! I was really happy, because I felt like my audition went poorly, but him telling me that I made it was incredible!”

The support she has found in Ala Rossa has helped Riley grow as a musician. Riley has “made such a great community” with the choir and is having “a great experience.” Devol said, “Singing in a group lets you create things that are greater than the sum of the individual voices.”

According to Riley, “[my father] told me recently that ever since I was a little girl he knew that I was musical, and that has been so encouraging.” Riley’s inspiration comes from her father, who taught her how to love and appreciate music. She grew up hearing her father play “silly songs he made up” and has greatly connected with music as an art form since then. 

Riley first joined choir in middle school and has been in multiple musicals, including Mamma Mia. Riley has performed across the world, so to speak, from her times living in North Carolina and Taiwan, she was always singing. Riley plans on continuing to pursue musical arts for the rest of high school and may even minor in music in college. 

Aside from the 21 members of Ala Rossa. Devol has been steadily building up a strong choral program since he joined Godwin’s faculty in 2019.  

To join the Ala Rossa or Madrigal choirs, a lot of preparation is expected. Singers at auditions need to sing one of the selected songs, then they will be given only a minute to look over a sight-reading example before having to sing what they read. The auditions are hard, but it will be worth it for the singers who make it.