On Wednesday, October 2, a once loud, somewhat chaotic campus was overturned and renewed as dim lights silenced the auditorium in wake of the performance to come. After countless hours of rehearsal, all of the choirs debuted in their first performance of the year at the annual Mini October Concert. Admission was free and it allowed the jazz, concert, vocal, women’s, and men’s ensembles to showcase what they have been working on from the past couple of months to their family and friends. 

Preparation for this event was intense and it shook the newcomers, as well as the returning members, emotionally. From the start of the school year to up until now, their main focus has been about this concert. However, amidst all the stress and nerves, it made members realize what they love about choir and excite them for what is to come throughout the year. 

“[In choir], I love talking with my friends, it’s really nice because everyone is really welcoming and so you are able to make new friends very easily,” Women’s and Vocal Ensemble Jeree Apan (10) said. “I love performing because I get really excited during our concerts and the music we sing is really cool.”

Since this was the first concert of the year, returning members have gained new insights on how this event compared to ones throughout the years such as the level of difficulty, selection of songs, and how smoothly the concert went.

“I think that we are slowly improving over the years and raising our standards more and more,” Women’s and Jazz Ensemble member Rayleen Bustamante (10) said. “We always start off the same and then work our way up throughout the year.”

As the night went on, all of the different choirs prepared a variety of songs and performed them to the best of their ability. Together, all of the choirs came together for a song titled “City Called Heaven.” The women’s ensemble graced the stage with their interpretations of “Refuge” and “Right on King Jesus.” The “Lamentations of Jeremiah” and “The Sun Never Says” were beautifully orchestrated by the vocal ensemble. “Hallelujah” and “Come Sweet Death” were also sung by the concert choir. The jazz choir performed “Dear John” and “Hate to be Lame.” 

“My favorite song I performed [at the concert] was ‘The Sun Never Says.’ In choir, we create a family where we always love and support each other through any circumstance; an atmosphere of unconditional love,” Womens and Vocal Ensemble member Zero Respicio-Reyes (10) said.  “This song conveys that unconditional love we give to each other which is what makes it so meaningful to me.”

The choirs’ next performances will be at Madrigal Feast, and it will be the 25th time it is being held at our school. There will be multiple nights to attend and tickets will range from $25-$60 depending on the night of attendance.