The chilly aesthetic of the autumn months beg for a soundtrack, as the need for music festers the VNHS Choir program arrives to help.
At the VNHS Choir show everyone can be unified under something we all appreciate; music.
On Nov. 7 at 4:30 p.m. and 8 at 7 p.m. under the direction of Deborah Tejada choir students came together to perform songs for their showcase, “Falling Through The Genres”.
From “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen to an original work, “Anima Christi” composed by senior Kevin Rodriguez, the students traveled through the past decades not only to reminisce, but to unite.
The program includes three classes, Vocal Ensemble, Luminaires and Vannaires. Vocal Ensemble is for beginner singers, while Luminaries are an intermediate level Pop Choir and Vannaires are the most advanced Jazz Choir.
They each have their own moment to shine on stage and at the end they all come together to sing “Ad Astra” by
Jacob Narvarud.
The choir also sings “Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson.
With all these songs and the set up that comes with it Ms. Tejada asked the Choir Council to help her out.
“As president, I make sure that we’re representing the program appropriately, making sure that everyone gets their jobs done; as well as bringing new ideas,” says choir President senior Maya Diaz.
Senior Emily Chavez is the Vice President of the Council. She took care of various costume choices and designs.
“I have been helping out getting pearls, setting things up, helping people learn the music, it’s been fun,” said Chavez.
This is not only the first choir show of the year but is the first one run by new choir teacher, Ms. Tejada and with new, comes with a few bumps in the road.
“I am very proud of all my students,” said Tejada. “It was crazy to see their progression from the very first time we met, especially as we were estranged from each other. I did have a few learning curves along the way, such as learning how to book the auditorium and the process of getting everything together. Now I have an idea of what to do next semester, so I’ll have more organization.”
These learning curves and challenges did not go unnoticed. Ms. Tejada’s students, such as junior Connor Ruckman, felt a shift with the new teacher.
“It’s been rough to have a new choir teacher every year, “ says Ruckman. “When Ms. Tejada came, her teaching style was very different from our previous teachers and I wasn’t sure if I liked it, but she proved herself with the way she handled her first show ever. She did a great job conducting us.”
Chavez biggest struggle was being able to trust someone new
“Because most of the Vannaire class are seniors, we all have expectations of how the show should go,” she said.
But for junior Lucy Tait, even with the ups and downs, choir proved to still be a strong program on campus.
“Choir is such a fun and welcoming environment,” said Tait. “This is my first year in choir and everyone has been so kind and supportive. I’ve learned so much already!”
Something which seems to remain a staple at the choir shows are Dilan Patton and Madison Braybon as hosts for the night. The two have held the position for almost three years.
“I really like bringing a little fun to the shows,” Braybon said. “We started out just hosting solo showcases and then it turned into us hosting choir shows. I saw two other students host during my sophomore year, and they did a really good job, which created a tradition, which is really nice.”
A whole range of people were brought together by the genres explored in the choir showcase and thanks to Ms. Tejada a new life has been brought to the choir show.
“This concert was super fun and I’m optimistic for what the next one will bring,” junior Krystelle Arcinas said.
