The Boothbay Region High School (BRHS) Seahawk Singers performed “And So I Sing” June 1, in the school’s auditorium, marking final choral performances for seniors Rose Campbell and Chloe Joneth. Joneth was unable to perform due to illness. Chau Nguyen was also out sick.

Four singers, under the direction of Dr. Mary Miller, performed nine songs, beginning with “Be Like the Bird,” a musical adaptation of Victor Hugo’s famous four-line poem. Translated from the original French, the song’s theme centers on inner strength and was sung a cappella. The poem has been put to music by many composers, Miller selecting Abbie Betinis’s 2009 version.

D. Farrell Smith’s “Exultate Justi in Domino” (2009) was perfectly suited for two-part vocals with piano accompaniment, offering a suspenseful Latin approach to Psalm 33, and Carissimi’s “Agnus Dei” (1674), arranged by Liebergen, is a softly melodic, Italian Baroque prayer for peace designed to be performed by a small company. With only six members of the chorus, Miller’s skill in selecting complementary choral works played into the group’s strengths, and her talent on the keyboard added energy to the performance.

“And So I Sing” (Spevacek, 1998), the title song of the performance series, is endearing; it is inspired by African-American poet Paul Laurence. The song encourages one to find resilience and joy in music, despite life’s hardships.

Frida Kirchhauser and Sophia Mansfield performed a lovely Bruno Mars duet, with Kirchhauser on piano. “Talking to the Moon” (2010) is a darkly sad power ballad about loss and the places we look for comfort. Kirchhauser and Mansfield had paired up in the December concert for another Mars song, “When I Was Your Man” (2012) – a winning formula for the two singers. Kirchhauser sang descant, a countermelody, in “In Flanders Fields” (McCrae, Jacobson, Emerson, 1915), a haunting WWI war poem, written from the point of view of fallen soldiers. The darkness didn’t stop there. Campbell sang breakout solos in “Music of the Night” (Weber, Lojeski, 1986) from “The Phantom of the Opera,” offering sweeping Gothic romance vibes.

Mansfield’s power vocals at times felt like solos as she soared over her fellow Seahawk Singers. Back from All-State competition in Orono, Mansfield dominated her actual solo in “For Good” (Schwartz, 2003) arranged by Huff, from “Wicked” as she and the group sang counterpoint about being changed for the better. Mansfield is the ensemble’s most decorated singer, holding both district and all-state recognitions.

Titan Lewis was sensational in the show’s final song, “A Million Dreams” (Pasek, Paul, 2017) arranged by Huff, from the film “The Greatest Showman.” No one brings a theatrical anthem like Lewis, with its triumphant swells and pop stylings. He and Kirchhauser were magnificent volleying back and forth with support from the full chorus, bringing the show to an end on an exciting note that energized the audience.

Kirchhauser and Campbell also hold district chorus recognitions. Campbell and Joneth were 2026 Chorus co-captains.