Midwinter Revels Children’s Chorus Spotlight: Marina & Lena Nugent

Joining the Midwinter Revels Children’s Chorus is a huge commitment for our young singers, who spent the entire fall learning music, choreography, and blocking for a thirteen-performance run in Sanders Theatre. But being in the Children’s Chorus is also an amazing opportunity for young performers to grow and meet new friends! Revels Marketing Manager Sydney Roslin sat down with Marina Nugent, a first-time member of the Children’s Chorus, and mom Lena Nugent, a frequent Revels attendee and Midwinter Revels volunteer photographer, to talk about everything that went into being a member of this year’s children’s chorus.

Marina (left) handing off the light to the King. Photo by Mira Whiting.

Sydney Roslin: Marina, what made you decide to audition for the Children’s Chorus this year?

Marina Nugent:  So I have been going to Revels since I was like very very little with my grandma and my mom. I would always look forward to going every year at Christmas. And then one day my grandma got an email that talked about auditioning for Revels, so she signed me up and I auditioned. Somehow I magically got in!

SR: Do either of you have a favorite Revels tradition in the shows that you’ve seen?

MN: I like Dona Nobis Pacem, it’s a good song. And I like Lord of the Dance. I also like how they celebrate the solstice every year. They make the winter solstice very happy and bright and fun.

Lena Nugent: My favorite part is Lord of the Dance. Every time I go I am just waiting for the moment that we can all get up and go in that big ginormous pile of people dancing. It’s the best.

The Children’s Chorus rehearses with Roger Reed. Photo by Mira Whiting.

SR: Was it hard to memorize your music? You’re singing in a couple of different languages this year, right?

MN: Yeah, we’re singing in Latin and English. Sometimes it’s hard to memorize the songs. The Twelve Days of Christmas was hard to learn at first, but when you drill the songs into your head they’re not that hard at all. I sang The Twelve Days of Christmas over and over and over again until I memorized it. When you practice a lot, it gets way easier. I practice with my grandma all the time. And I already knew Lord of the Dance because every time I went to see Revels I would always sing it in the car on the way home.

SR: Do you have a favorite song that you learned for the show?

MN: I really like Veni, Veni, Emanuel. And I like Old Roger is Dead, because that song is really fun, and Leeds Wassail. And I really like Dona Nobis Pacem. That’s my favorite one because I really like how everyone in the audience sings in a round. It gets so happy in the room when everyone’s singing together, and it sounds so pretty when we sing it.

The Children’s Chorus at the final dress rehearsal. Photo by Paul Buckley

SR: Do you perform in other ways outside of Revels?

MN:  I dance. I do ballet, and last year I also did contemporary dance and had voice lessons. Also, this summer, I played Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka. I just like being on stage and entertaining people. I love singing, and I love acting.

SR: Why should someone go to see Midwinter Revels: The Feast of Fools?

MN: I think that people should go see the show this year because there are going to be some twists and turns, and funny moments. If you want a good laugh, go see the Revels. And also, there’s beautiful singing.

SR: And why should a kid audition of the Children’s Chorus next year?

MW: I think people should audition for the children’s chorus next year because you can make a lot of friends. And I think you should audition because you can get better at singing, and it’s a good opportunity to act and have fun!

Watch Marina and the rest of the Revels Children’s Chorus at Midwinter Revels: The Feast of Fools, streaming now through January 7 with the purchase of a Virtual Event Pass. Learn more and buy tickets at revels.org/midwinter.