VALENTINE: Poly’s choir groups performed in a special Valentine’s Day concert featuring UCR Chamber Singers.
By Himadri Ratnayake, Staff Writer
Throughout the year, electives such as choir, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), and theatre arrange “holiday grams” that usually come with a special message or candy. Holidays such as Halloween and St. Valentine’s Day are popular occasions for this type of fundraising. This year, Poly’s choir members felt it was their turn to do something special for Valentine’s Day by performing singing grams, in which someone can purchase a gram for another student, and on a designated day members of the choir will come into the student’s classroom and perform a rehearsed song. On Wednesday, February 17, 2016, they held their first Sweetheart Concert in the Arthur Littleworth Theater to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day, a new event for the performing arts group. The concert not only consisted of all levels of choir (Treble, Vocal Jazz, Chambers, and so on) but also an unexpected visit from University of California, Riverside (UCR) Chamber Singers.
The performance by Poly Chamber Singers provided the audience with a cultural twist on their song choices, whereas the Bella Voce group sang more affectionate, Valentine-themed songs. UCR Chamber Singers sang more classic pieces. None of the vocalists from Poly’s choir knew why UCR chose to be a part of the concert. “We just wanted to do an exchange with them and hear their choir sing. It is nice to have a vocal connection with a great choir in our community,” Kristen Walton, Poly’s choir director, said. The required attire for each level also stood out in a distinct way. The men in each category wore suits or dress shirts corresponding to their group’s color. Both choirs performed well. There was a bit of nervous energy in the air, but everyone made it through the evening. “I hoped that we would be great. Honestly, we had about three weeks to learn the music and it was tough,” Marcela Martinez Delgado (11) said. When asked about any thoughts on the concert, Rebekah Keagy, a freshman at UCR, expressed “It brought together multiple choirs […] the concert presents a meaningful opportunity to show mutual support between the schools. Additionally, it gives the community good insight into the diligent work of those involved in the arts programs.”
When asked about upcoming concerts, Walton revealed they are having one on May 18, 2016. It is going to be a “throwback” concert also known as “music through the decades.” It will consist of a variety of different songs, ranging from the 1950s to the present day. Later on in the year, they will move into the more enjoyable part of the choir season. They will also continue with choir auditions for the upcoming year to continue maintaining Poly’s exemplary vocal programs.