The Music Department is known for its exciting field trips and Beaver Area Choirs followed that trend as they ventured to Harrisburg to tour and perform at the State Capitol March 3.

The students were then bused to Hershey Chocolate World for the remainder of their trip.

The participating groups included high school choirs: Concert Choir and Women’s Ensemble as well as the Middle School Choir.

Mrs. Susan Metelsky, the Director of Choirs, accompanied the students on this excursion.

But a fun-filled trip sometimes includes sacrifices—in this case: a really early morning.

The students arrived at the school at 5 in the morning to depart to the State Capitol on a coach bus. After a four-hour bus ride with breakfast and naps, the choirs were given a narrated tour of this historic building.

They experienced sights from beautiful architecture and paintings to State Senate chambers, all while learning informative history about the building.

After their tour, the music students performed a choral set, standing on a massive, echoey staircase in the capitol building.

Senior Riley Paul enthusiastically stated, “This was my second time going to sing with the choir in the Capitol! While singing in the staircase, there is an echo like no other. Singing the National Anthem gives me goosebumps every time the echo comes. I believe no matter how many times you go to the Capitol, you will always be amazed by the amount of detail.”

The pieces performed included The National Anthem, Canon in D, Build Me a World, The Arrow and the Song, Bring Me Little Water Silvy, Alleluia Boyce, E Oru O, and a traditional Ukrainian Thanksgiving Song.

They concluded their performance with American Hymn and then ditched their choir robes for comfortable attire.

After an hour’s drive, the choir students arrived at Hershey Chocolate World where they had the opportunity to explore and tickets to build their own custom chocolate bar. Though their time in Hershey was slightly shorter than Harrisburg, the students were thrilled to have experienced the sights (and smells of course) at the establishment.

“Our field trip to the Capitol Building and Hershey was so much fun! Heading over to Hershey Park to create our own chocolate bar was a great opportunity let loose and hang out with friends before heading back on the long drive home,” senior Kayla Cornell exclaimed.

The choirs departed Hershey around 4 p.m. and after a quick stop for dinner, arrived at the school promptly at 9 p.m. This particular field trip was definitely long but such an incredible experience for these music students.

So what’s next for the Beaver Area Choirs? Look out for their Spring Choral Concert in May where several of the pieces performed at Harrisburg will be sung.