Singing ensembles coordinate concerts due to director injury

School Music Director Mark Shaull sustained an injury in his church office after the LAHS Choral Department Winter Concert ended on Sunday, December 13. Until Shaull returns, choir students are coordinating their classes and concerts.

Main Street singer senior Nicole Shorts said Shaull’s accompanist Debra Yowell informed the group on Monday, December 14 that Shaull’s accident was because of “exhaustion and dehydration,” that he was “doing fine” and that Main Street would be able to complete upcoming concerts.

Nicole said Shaull looked weary while conducting.

“It was one of our longer concerts,” Nicole said. “We could tell because he wasn’t being as driven as he usually is. He seemed kind of phased but [it was] nothing that would cause us any alarm.”

According to Main Street singer senior Mark Conrad, Main Street was “greeting people” after the concert when they were told that Shaull had had an injury.

“We were informed [about Shaull’s condition] and that we would have to take over the cleanup and shutdown of the church,” Mark said.

Main Street proceeded to clean up the venue as adults arranged for an ambulance.

“We went through [his checklist],” Mark said. “Nobody under eighteen [or] that was not a medical professional was allowed to see him.”

Although concerts planned for Monday were canceled and none had been scheduled for Tuesday, Shaull gave Main Street permission to perform on Wednesday at the Sirs Club in Mountain View at 2:00 p.m.

Nicole conducted the 30-minute concert at the Sirs Club. Yowell attended and senior Emma Carr took on the role of announcing Main Street and its concert tours.

“We are more, as a group, stepping up,” Nicole said. “I’m no conductor. For all that he’s done for us, we can prove that we can step up and do this. This is really important to me, and I know it’s really important to the rest of the group.”

Mark says that the group has continued to practice on its own and looks forward to major concerts including the Main Street Singers 25th Alumni Celebration and the Main Street Singers 25th Annual Wassail party.

“We’ve been rehearsing [during fifth period] … and our ensemble [is] confident,” Mark said. “We were put together as a group of people that share a drive and a commitment to excellence.”

Mark said it is possible for any conductor to become physically exhausted after a long concert.

“He’s up there under brilliant lights,” Mark said. “It’s the intensity of a physical activity for three hours, nonstop.”

Nicole said she also understands the physical strain of conducting.

“He has the job of pulling energy out, shaping music,” Nicole said. “He’s concentrating. That was a good two-and-a-half hours. For him to be moving, worrying, organizing and thinking … it’s like running a marathon.”

The group will have multiple concerts per day for a bulk of the month. According to Nicole, Main Street is confident Shaull will bounce back.

“He’s a huge part of our lives,” Nicole said. “To a lot of us he’s like a father. … If anything he’s more frustrated than embarrassed. He feels fine. The first thing he asked when he woke up was ‘Did I finish the concert? How did it go?’ He’s [still] the same guy.”