When William Cooke first came to Charlottesville High School in 2007, he forever changed the formation of the choirs. Now, they are now one of CHS’s defining strengths. Today, the choirs consist of four different classes: Charlottesville Singers, Concert Choir, Morning Choir, and the Knightingales. As the only all-female choir, the Knightingales stand apart from the rest, jump-started by Mr. Cooke himself.
When asked what choir was like when he first started teaching CHS, Mr. Cooke expressed the differences. “It was choir one, choir two, and Charlottesville Singers. That’s what it was called back in the day. And in those three classes, there were thirty-six people. So I rebranded the entire choir [as] Charlottesville Singers, Knightingales and Concert Choir. Morning Choir came along some years after that.” Mr. Cooke was able to grow the choirs so greatly, the entire program is now made up of over a hundred students.
“We thought about starting a show choir,” Mr. Cooke shared.. “But I did not have the stamina. The point of show choirs is to be competitive. You have to have a live band and at least four or five costume changes within a given show. So as a result, the Knightingales usually dance for one song.”
The Knightingales consist of roughly thirty young women each year. Requiring an audition to get in, their music is strictly SSAA, which is composed of two distinct alto and soprano sections. The group has a unique sound without basses or tenors, and they sing pieces that are more modern and show-choir style. Knightingales sing in red frilly dresses, decorated with sequins, and tan character heels.
“It’s usually a supportive community for all girls. They usually are just really wonderful and supportive of each other. They lift each other up. It’s always a multi-level class, so I have everybody from 9th through 12th grade in there. I love that it’s different levels of singing and ability and skill, and it all kind of works.” This choir stands out for feminist style and unique sound, which makes it so memorable in the Charlottesville community. In addition to concerts this year, the Knightingales will also perform at charity events such as the Lights of Love and the SHE Shelter.
The Knightingales remain a prime example of William Cooke’s transformative vision. From a combination of their costumes, dances, unique arrangements, and positive demeanor, they represent a community that inspires young girls to share their voices too. As the CHS community lives on, so will the female empowerment that is brought up from the Knightingales choir.
