On Friday, February 27, the Ayala Choir production performed in their Benefit Concert. For this concert, each ensemble performed, and the Canyon Hills Choir performed their own set of songs as well. Additionally, this concert is near and dear to the choir since they were able to donate part of the proceeds from tickets and treats, such as Crumbl cookies and prize baskets, to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC).
When Choir began the tradition of hosting Benefit concerts, it had always been decided that the students would choose a charity to give part of the proceeds to. By doing so, they are able to give back to organizations that fund important causes close to the students. Additionally, allowing students to give back creates an opportunity for them to get closer to the community that supports them.
“Every year our student executive board chooses which charity to donate to, and this year there was a mass consensus that we wanted to choose CHOC,” Kayla Huizar (12) said. “A lot of our singers have family members who have been patients there, and some of our singers have been patients themselves.”
With the concert benefiting a charity, many students feel good about supporting such an important cause. The performers feel more energetic and excited for each performance as well because their work is going towards something important to them. In this concert, every student got to see each performance from each ensemble, creating new memories.
“My favorite part of the performance was finally being able to perform ‘Now Let Me Fly’ with everybody in Women’s Ensemble because I know we’ve all worked so hard,” Adyson Estrella (10) said. “Then, finally seeing this song all come together with each and every voice was beautiful, especially knowing all that went into it.”
By knowing all the work that has gone into each performance, it was beautiful to see each and every voice come together. Students spent countless hours of their own time and energy balancing homework and other extracurricular activities to create the pieces for the concert. Every song brings together each voice in all of the ensembles to tell a beautiful story, whether it be a war song for the Men’s Ensemble, a story for showing your true self performed by the Vocal Ensemble, or an empowering song from the Women’s Ensemble. Performing with your closest friends while spending so much time together perfecting something enjoyable is what makes concerts like this one so spectacular.
By making many memories and getting the chance to donate to a necessary cause, students compared this concert to others. Students felt that it was the biggest part of making the concert meaningful. The practices that went into perfecting the performance all came together to help support not only one another, but also something that means a great deal to the singers.
“This concert differed from others because we had the pleasure of helping out many kids with health problems, and the concert just felt different knowing they would be so appreciative of what we are doing for them,” Ella Munroe (10) said. “I also loved the pieces our vocal ensemble did this year; they were very impactful and just amazing songs to listen to.”
After this concert, the Ayala Choir company felt accomplished in all the efforts they put into this concert. Not only were students able to create memories with their closest friends, but they were part of a greater cause—supporting a charity. By providing part of the proceeds to CHOC, students were able to support a major cause and get closer to their community.
