West Potomac Students Sing Colonial Style

In the lobby of a luxurious hotel decked in tinsel and festive lights, a group of twelve West Potomac High School students dubbed the Colonial Singers sing tunes from America's 18th century composers.

Dressed in knickers and high socks, bonnets and dresses, the group of four boys and eight girls run through a set of 27 songs featuring The Wassail Song and Deck the Halls. Their angelic voices waft up the lavishly painted ceilings of the Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C.

 "The songs have great harmony," said Evan Jenkins, a member of the Colonial Singers.

The Colonial Singers troupe is unique to West Potomac High School. Founded in 1996 by Ernest Johnson, the group's director, they travel to Mount Vernon, Gadsby's Tavern and various locations to put on 15 shows of vocal aptitude during the holiday season.

 "I had an interest in American music and no one was doing it," Johnson said, "and I thought here I am in Virginia right by Mount Vernon, why not?"

Johnson previously directed a group of kids that preformed traditional Renaissance singing, but for now he focuses on the Colonial Singers.

 "[18th century] American music is relatively easy. The composers were anything but trained musicians," Johnson said. He added that the composers were lawyers and tradesmen, who in their spare time wrote music. This does not mean it is not demanding and interesting, however.

The students, who range from sophomores to seniors, have classes five times a week for 100 minutes with Johnson practicing and learning their songs.

"There is a lot of time practicing at home too," said Ariel Villa, another Colonial Singer.

Besides learning the songs the troupe, which totals 14 when all of them are present, travels to local elementary schools to teach kids about the colonial way of life. Johnson says he tries to teach the kids things that are not in the books. Each student has a character they take on when teaching.

 "It's important to show the kids there is diversity and different classes [in colonial times]. Not every black person was a slave and not every white person was rich," said Zoe McCray, a Singer.

According to Johnson, the group learns time management. Many of the students take advanced placement courses, play sports or are part of the band.

"They really use the little time they have," Johnson said. 

In addition to the singing, the teaching and the characters the students also do English Country dancing with some of their performances.

Corky Palmer, a local "dance master," as Johnson says, teaches the students traditional dances. Johnson has also teamed up with local seamstresses who have studied colonial dress and create the costumes for the students, who are required to pay for them themselves.

"As you can see, there are no zippers on the clothes because there were no zippers back then," Johnson said.

Despite the busy schedule and the hard work the students seem to take it in stride. Many of them have musical aspirations like music education, classical vocals and Broadway. The work together brings them close.

"We are like one big colonial family," said colonial singer Ryan Walker.