On Wednesday October 4th, the 12th grade AP English Literature and Composition class and the 11th grade AP Language traveled to the Mount Hope Estate and Winery for the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. The Faire was hosting a School Days event where many schools participate in a day long festival enjoying the sights of the faire. Among the sights to see are Mudbegging 101, jousts, a circus, multiple musical acts, a human chess match, and competitions that the students can compete in.

Three students from the EJ AP 12 class participated in the musical competition at the Faire. Tara Feltman, Emilie Gerig, and Sarah Irvin worked together to put together a time period appropriate musical piece to sing for the competition. A type of choral music that was performed during the renaissance is called a madrigal. The free style of madrigals are intended for multiple voice parts to be independently sang without accompaniment. The girls prepared a piece called “Your Shining Eyes” with words by Thomas Bateson and performed it at the faire. Tara, Emilie, and Sarah competed against 10 other schools, most bringing large choral groups or instrumental groups, as opposed to a group of three.

The girls represented East Juniata very well saying that “the experience was fun and a great way to have some extra fun at the faire.” The girls were nervous at first but once they got to the stage, they filled the air with lyrical beauty. Despite their low numbers, the three of them produced a sound and volume that rivaled some of the larger groups in the competition, as each of the girls had their own part to sing and had to hold their own in their performance. Overall, they did not regret the experience and enjoyed it very much.