Rachel Albano (left) and Erika Frati will sing with Albany Pro Musica on March 28.

Two RCS seniors have the rare opportunity to sing later this month with the capital region’s premier choral group – Albany Pro Musica.  

Rachel Albano and Erika Frati will be on stage at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall at 8 p.m. on March 28 as Albany Pro Musica tackles Bach’s ambitious “St. John’s Passion,” Mozart’s “Regina Coeli,” and a more recent piece – American composer John Corigliano’s “Fern Hill.”

Albano and Frati are two of just 12 vocalists from the Albany area chosen to perform in the concert. Both are students of RCS music teacher William Baxter.

“We were chosen based on the experiences we’ve had,” said Albano. “Erika and I have been in everything together – conference all-state, summer choral workshops at SUNY Fredonia – and that helped. We also did well on our New York State School Music Association ratings.”

Although listeners may be more familiar with Bach and Mozart, Frati said her favorite piece is actually Corigliano’s “Fern Hill.” The piece, which is based on a text by poet Dylan Thomas, was introduced in 1960 and is part of Corigliano’s trilogy of compositions inspired by Thomas.

“The melodic voices in Fern Hill are so pretty,” Frati said. “The dynamic contrast – it’s not like you’re acting so much. There aren’t any movements, so you have to use your intuition.”

Both Albano and Frati hope to continue their artistic pursuits after high school – Albano wants to study music at SUNY Fredonia and Frati wants to study drama, although she’s still deciding where she’ll do that.