Twenty-six years ago, David Cannon grew weary of being involved in vocal groups that performed songs contrary to how he heard them in his head. All he wanted was a group of people to have the ability to perform songs the way he wanted them to, so he became a choir teacher.

Fast forward to now, and Cannon has been at KHS for seven years and is the only director of a program in which he is “completely, completely, bought in and sold on.” And according to his students, he has not done too bad of a job.

“Kirkwood managed to have one of the best choirs in the country, in the US, but you won’t believe how playful he can be,” Michael Burns, a senior part of KHS’ A Cappella choir, said. “And that might be why our choir is so good.”

Good enough, in fact, to go on tour every other year. Just this February, the A Capella choir traveled to Chicago for three days to meet with college directors and perform. Along with that, Choir held their annual concert series, a fall and a winter concert and BOBTOJ (Best of Broadway / Taste of Jazz). Burns and Peyton Sellers, freshman, enjoy BOBTOJ very much.

“We did a lot of of funny songs. On our way out, we sang Wrecking Ball. So that was pretty fun,” Sellers said.

Burns also discussed the comical side of the performance, adding it is his favorite time of the year because it is more relaxed and more pop than other concerts. For Cannon, some of his favorite moments come not in performances, but in rehearsal.

“I’ll pass out a piece of music, and I may not hear it come to fruition for two months. But the first time that we get it,” Cannon continued, “we all freak out.”

With a few more concerts left on the schedule, Choir hopes to finish the year strong. But with so many memories already, some early reflection is necessary. Sellers enjoyed the fun and comedy of the class, along with the improvements Choir helped him make over the year. And while Burns feels this year was more traditional and that some of the liveliness was lost compared to previous years, it was still amazing overall. He also gave advice to anyone thinking about joining:

“It will be an experience you will never forget,” Burns said.

As for Cannon and the rest of his “wonderfully passionate, crazy students”, whom he can’t make a comparison because every year’s group is so different, the year was great and was simply a “fun ride.”

“Choirs and bands and orchestras tend to become a little bit like families,” Cannon said, “I go to great lengths to encourage harmony, no pun intended.”