The school’s choir program has faced nearly constant turnover during the last several years, often leaving students leading concerts themselves. But for this year’s seniors, the challenges became memories and the memories became music.
Before taking their final bows, choir seniors looked back on the performances, rehearsals and friendships that shaped their high school experience.
Senior Lily Mandell’s favorite performances were the choir’s annual Black History Month concerts, held each year as part of a three-concert series.
“One of my favorite songs we sing in choir is one of our recurring songs called ‘Total Praise,’” she said. “The song is so powerful and singing it as a choir is so satisfying.”
Still, Mandell admits the piece has earned an unintended reputation among the singers.
“Funny enough, it’s almost a cursed song for our choir since whenever we sing it live we mess it up somehow,” she said. “But when it’s done right everyone loves to sing it. It’s kind of an inside joke for the choir program.”
Seniors like Xavier Martin-Porter, who’ve been part of the choir for years, say it’s more than just a class. It’s a second family.
“Being in the choral department over the years has definitely had its ups and downs, but one thing that has remained constant is the family space,” he said. “Choir has always been a place not just for singing, but for building a community of people that are always there to help you. Choir is a place where for just an hour you can forget about everything else and sing.”
Even seniors like DJ Martinez, who joined choir just this year say the experience was transformative.
“I’ve always loved musical theatre and singing but always felt kind of out of the loop since I didn’t know how to read music and wasn’t that confident in my vocal ability, but the choir program really helped me grow both of those things,” they said.
That growth didn’t just boost Martinez’s confidence, but it gave them tools they know they’ll carry beyond high school.
“Being able to read sheet music has been a total game changer and has allowed me to visualize and be able to look over what I’m singing without having someone else just play it for me, which has been really helpful in my performances both now, and in the future once I polish those skills,” they said.
As the seniors prepare to graduate, underclassmen are starting to feel the pressure to fill their shoes. Junior Connor Ruckman said the program faces another big shift.
“11 out of 14 people on Vannaires, our top level choir, are seniors and I really don’t know what the program is gonna do without them,” he said. “They are all such core members and it’s gonna be tough without them.”
Choir teacher Ms. Deborah Tejada, in her first year leading the program, shares the students’ sense of loss, but also has hope.
“I honestly feel disheartened,” she said. “I feel like I just met these students and we’re just starting to improve our choir program together. I love coming to work with these students. It is sad to know that quite a few of them are seniors and they will be moving on, but I’m extremely excited to see what is in store for them.”
Senior Maya Diaz, a long-time Vannaires member, also has hope for the program.
“I feel like I’ve devoted so much time and effort into the school’s choral program and I’m glad I was able to make a difference,” she said. “However, I’m confident the choir program is headed in the right direction when I leave and I’m ready for new ventures.”
