Faculty Participation in DA Chorus

In the past few years, faculty participation in DA Chorus has started to decline, according to Choral Director Mike Pfitzer. 

DA Chorus is Deerfield’s largest choral ensemble, consisting of both student and faculty members, a place where students see their teachers outside of the classroom doing the same thing they love—to sing. This weekly gathering on Monday nights promotes closer student-faculty relationships, especially among those who may not be in the same department or cross paths on a daily basis, singers described.

“I think [chorus is] a valuable pursuit, and I like being involved because it brings that multi-generational moment,” Dr. Pfitzer said. To other schools, programs that include both student and faculty may feel unusual, but it is a significant part of Deerfield where the gap of authority is bridged by a common passion, he explained.

Harmoni Dobbins ’26, a regular member of the chorus, said, “We know that they are our teachers, but they are also part of the DA Chorus, like anyone else would be, like a student would be.” During rehearsals, Dobbins ’26 views her teachers as members of the chorus, not someone who teaches on a daily basis. 

Ella Waag ’26 remembered being a part of the chorus since her freshman year. In her mind, singing in a community chorus is a deep outlet for expression.“You are being vulnerable with singing,” she said. 

For faculty, they have the opportunity to extend their connection with students across grade-levels. History Teacher Julia Rivellino-Lyons said, “It’s also really fun to get to know kids through the DA Chorus that I see in musicals, theater productions, or up on stage.” She finds enjoyment in meeting new members of the community and fostering these relationships is something she cherishes about joining the DA Chorus. 

Ms. Rivellino-Lyons also acknowledged the fast-paced schedule that often limits her—and fellow faculty members—from committing to every rehearsal. 

“With sitdown meals, I have fewer evenings to myself. So the winter term is a really great term to be involved in, while in the spring term, there are different incentives that, this year, have meant that I am not involved,” she said. 

Dr. Pfitzer expressed a similar sentiment.“I think in general people who commit to doing anything over long stretches of time have decreased over the last number of years, because we have so many demands on our time,” he said. 

But an ability to participate creates a sense of engaged participation that student singers want to see from their teachers. Dr. Pfitzer encourages more faculty to participate going forward. “It’s a really important part of the groups,” he said, adding that to participate, “you don’t need to have a ton of skills or be the best singer that anybody’s ever seen.”

To him, DA Chorus is a place for community members at different life stages with different life experiences to connect. Through singing, they can connect “despite the difference,” he said.