Los Altos High School choir wraps up the semester with “A Season of Song,” its annual winter concert, next Monday, December 9 at 7 p.m. All four choir classes — Chorale, Concert Choir, Bel Canto, and Volare — will showcase holiday music prepared in the months prior.
Choir will be performing a wide variety of pieces, from “Fixer Upper” from “Frozen,” to “Sisi ni Moja” by Jacob Narverud, to “Rise Up Shepards,” a caroling song.
“We have some really fun pieces, and some more technical and complicated music that all sound really cool,” sophomore Mazie Reidy said. “Expect some Christmas songs, as well as non-holiday related music in both English and other languages.”
Carols and holiday songs are typically sung in a traditional chorale way. But choir hopes to differentiate itself by adding unconventional twists to the well-known songs it is performing.
For instance, Bel Canto is bringing a modernized percussion arrangement to a medieval tune it is performing.
“It’s like medieval heavy metal,” choir teacher Lauren Diez said. “It’s a really intense arrangement and not what you would think of as an old song.”
“People presume chorale to be very uptight with a lot of people standing onstage with their hands clasped together,” junior Caila Kim said. “But Ms. Diez is very strong about not sticking to that reputation and allowing people to have fun onstage.”
Through bringing heavy metal to medieval music, jazz to popular songs, and modernized additions to classic tunes, choir hopes to bring the stage to life.
“Music can be a way to feel seen and connect with other people,” Mazie said. “This concert is going to be a really engaging experience that will leave audiences happy and wanting more.”
Choir plans to bring in a large audience for the concert and cultivate a festive spirit through an unexpected and entertaining show.
“Everyone is really hyped for the holidays so there’s a very exciting mood,” Caila said. “People should come to support friends, family, and the arts.”
“Concerts are a really nice way to relax and take a break from stress,” Mazie said.
The choir community also hopes to showcase the class to potential students.
“Choir is a great way to let yourself be creative and become more confident with your self expression,” Mazie said. “School can be very tiring and academic-based, and being able to put your energy and creativity into something not based in the typical school system is a great change of pace.”
Students can join choir to fulfill their fine arts credit, to learn how to sing, or simply to join a tight-knit and inclusive community.
“It’s very supportive,” junior D’Andre Sandoval said. “You get comfortable really fast and there’s a strong sense of community throughout every class.”
“Your individual work is important, but only as it serves the whole choir,” Diez said. “You have to constantly be listening to the people around you, blending your voice, and listening to the whole picture. You are a small part of something that’s much bigger than yourself.”
