By: Cindy Lim
The anticipation ran high in the midst of Don Wash Auditorium. The crowd buzzed with excitement, scrambling to find the perfect seat. Friends searched for other friends, parents whipped out their cameras, and choir members sat patiently on the sides of the auditorium, waiting for the cue. Finally, the lights of Don Wash Auditorium dimmed, and endless chatter was replaced with respectable silence. Ms. Tanikawa rose to the stage podium and turned the attention to Mr. Keltner, ending with a few simple words: “Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.” Ladies and gentlemen, the Fall Choir Concert had begun.
The anticipation ran high in the midst of Don Wash Auditorium. The crowd buzzed with excitement, scrambling to find the perfect seat. Friends searched for other friends, parents whipped out their cameras, and choir members sat patiently on the sides of the auditorium, waiting for the cue. Finally, the lights of Don Wash Auditorium dimmed, and endless chatter was replaced with respectable silence. Ms. Tanikawa rose to the stage podium and turned the attention to Mr. Keltner, ending with a few simple words: “Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.” Ladies and gentlemen, the Fall Choir Concert had begun.
On the chilly evening of October 28th, Bolsa Grande’s hard-working choir kicked off its first concert of the year at Don Wash Auditorium. Hundreds of people gathered to the auditorium to see what our very own choir rehearsed long and tireless hours for. With each choir group taking the stage and Mr. Keltner sporting his fancy tuxedo, it was indeed a night of glee and jubilee.
In their blue cardigans and red ties, the Men’s Glee first took the stage for their first concert debut. Men’s Glee is a new club in choir that meets and practices during lunch, according to Mr. Keltner. The choir group began the music-filled night with I Never Knew, followed by the dynamic Songs of the Road and the Sea, and ending with the fast-paced and fun Judgement Day. For its first debut, Men’s Glee surely wowed the audience with their passionate voices and joyful smiles; it was evident how hard they worked for this special night.
The Girls Ensemble rose to the stage next, wearing their traditional and elegant choir dresses. The choir group began with the classic Alleluia, providing a short but sweet-sounding introduction. Then Girls Ensemble impressed the audience with their mellifluous Charlottetown and their playful yet well-coordinated Fa La La. The Girls Ensemble sang beautifully, creating an array of voices coinciding with one another. Certainly, this new wave of choir students showed their amazing talents, which the audience gave great applause to.
We cannot forget our Varsity Men, who stepped into the limelight in their classy tuxedos. They began their performance with the happy Cantate Deo and followed with the uplifting reprise of The Vagabond. Finally, the Varsity Men performed a humorous song called We’re the Men that displayed the wide range and dynamics that these Varsity Men can show, all while repeatedly echoing, “We’re the Men!” With a dramatic “manly” pose, they left the stage, receiving a well-deserved round of applause!
Next, Vocal Ensemble stepped up their game with their powerful voices and unity in When Allen-a-Dale Went A-Hunting, Oh Danny Boy, and Spiritual Jubilee. All of these unique voices, from the sopranos to the tenors, coincided to create one unified voice, which made the songs all the more memorable. With their bright smiles and dynamic voices, it is evident that these choir students rehearsed long hours and definitely deserved the gratifying applause for their moment in the spotlight.
And last, but not least, the Concert Choir gave served as the final performance. With their smiling and passionate voices and demeanor, Bolsa Grande’s advanced choir group surprised the crowd with their version of Sing Praises ushering the crowd to clap their hands. Swaying along to the beat, Concert Choir followed with an enlightening performance of Sing We At Pleasure, with our singing Matadors hitting all the high notes in this dynamic song. Concert Choir then astounded the crowd with Sicut Cervus, an uplifting and sweet-sounding song sung entirely in Latin! As a grand finale, the choir group sang Shepherd Me, Lord, sending the audience into an uproar of applause.
When asked for his opinion on the concert, Quinton Ta (12), one of the co- presidents of choir, stated, “I think the turnout was decent but all the choirs really worked hard and it paid off. Of course it's only our first concert so we have time to improve as a whole! I'm looking forward to bonding with the new members and leaving behind a great legacy.”
Moreover, Jacquelyn Do (12), also the co-president of choir, added, “I am definitely excited for this year. I want people to improve as much as possible and learn to appreciate all the different types of music Mr. Keltner exposes us to, as well as create intimate bonds with the members of their respective choirs. It's a little pressuring, knowing that I now hold a higher responsibility, but I am especially thankful to be working alongside my friend and co-president, Quinton.”
An evening of gleeful songs and talented voices, the Fall Choir Concert was an entertaining night for all. From the sopranos to the tenors, each choir group excelled in their performance. Truly, the first choir concert of the year was a great success.
In their blue cardigans and red ties, the Men’s Glee first took the stage for their first concert debut. Men’s Glee is a new club in choir that meets and practices during lunch, according to Mr. Keltner. The choir group began the music-filled night with I Never Knew, followed by the dynamic Songs of the Road and the Sea, and ending with the fast-paced and fun Judgement Day. For its first debut, Men’s Glee surely wowed the audience with their passionate voices and joyful smiles; it was evident how hard they worked for this special night.
The Girls Ensemble rose to the stage next, wearing their traditional and elegant choir dresses. The choir group began with the classic Alleluia, providing a short but sweet-sounding introduction. Then Girls Ensemble impressed the audience with their mellifluous Charlottetown and their playful yet well-coordinated Fa La La. The Girls Ensemble sang beautifully, creating an array of voices coinciding with one another. Certainly, this new wave of choir students showed their amazing talents, which the audience gave great applause to.
We cannot forget our Varsity Men, who stepped into the limelight in their classy tuxedos. They began their performance with the happy Cantate Deo and followed with the uplifting reprise of The Vagabond. Finally, the Varsity Men performed a humorous song called We’re the Men that displayed the wide range and dynamics that these Varsity Men can show, all while repeatedly echoing, “We’re the Men!” With a dramatic “manly” pose, they left the stage, receiving a well-deserved round of applause!
Next, Vocal Ensemble stepped up their game with their powerful voices and unity in When Allen-a-Dale Went A-Hunting, Oh Danny Boy, and Spiritual Jubilee. All of these unique voices, from the sopranos to the tenors, coincided to create one unified voice, which made the songs all the more memorable. With their bright smiles and dynamic voices, it is evident that these choir students rehearsed long hours and definitely deserved the gratifying applause for their moment in the spotlight.
And last, but not least, the Concert Choir gave served as the final performance. With their smiling and passionate voices and demeanor, Bolsa Grande’s advanced choir group surprised the crowd with their version of Sing Praises ushering the crowd to clap their hands. Swaying along to the beat, Concert Choir followed with an enlightening performance of Sing We At Pleasure, with our singing Matadors hitting all the high notes in this dynamic song. Concert Choir then astounded the crowd with Sicut Cervus, an uplifting and sweet-sounding song sung entirely in Latin! As a grand finale, the choir group sang Shepherd Me, Lord, sending the audience into an uproar of applause.
When asked for his opinion on the concert, Quinton Ta (12), one of the co- presidents of choir, stated, “I think the turnout was decent but all the choirs really worked hard and it paid off. Of course it's only our first concert so we have time to improve as a whole! I'm looking forward to bonding with the new members and leaving behind a great legacy.”
Moreover, Jacquelyn Do (12), also the co-president of choir, added, “I am definitely excited for this year. I want people to improve as much as possible and learn to appreciate all the different types of music Mr. Keltner exposes us to, as well as create intimate bonds with the members of their respective choirs. It's a little pressuring, knowing that I now hold a higher responsibility, but I am especially thankful to be working alongside my friend and co-president, Quinton.”
An evening of gleeful songs and talented voices, the Fall Choir Concert was an entertaining night for all. From the sopranos to the tenors, each choir group excelled in their performance. Truly, the first choir concert of the year was a great success.