Choir Catch-Up: Choir’s Chaotic Concerts

Redwood’s Choir groups have been singing their hearts out these past 2 weeks. With so many festivals and so much time out of class, what’s going on with our vocalists?

By: Isabella Chan

As a full ensemble, Ranger and Chamber Choir attended a COS Festival held at El Diamante, a Fresno State Festival, and a general choir festival concert. On an individual basis, the men in Ranger Choir made an appearance at a Sing Loud Sing On concert with the middle schools and Chamber at the Stardust Fundraiser. 

“Overall, I think throughout the events we got better and better and we got more confident with the songs we were performing because we did the same pieces. As an individual, I think I was able to connect more with the content of the music rather than just the notes,” says Isabella Garrett, ‘26, a member of both Chamber and Ranger Choir. 

These Festival events allowed the choir to improve their singing as an ensemble in current time as they had received judges’ comments and scoring.

Salvador DeLaCruz, ‘25, explains, “[The concerts are] so we can learn. I mean we were able to sing and show off our talent but we have to learn from others and then get clinicians, and just have fun and learn together.”

“I like [the choir events],” DeLaCruz says. “They’re very fun and it gives us a lot of us a whole bunch of opportunities to just improve.”

Individually, he felt as though he did decent. DeLaCruz continued to keep in mind there were times where he could improve, but otherwise, he didn’t mind his performance.

Garrett kept in mind one of the comments the judges made, saying that, “we needed to give more emphasis in certain phrases because it takes your song to the next level, rather than just singing the notes monotone and at the same volume.”

Similarly, Wyatt Dean, ‘26, remembers the judges’ acknowledgments of their strong singing as an ensemble. However, he finds this possible thanks to the guidance of their teacher Mr. Carillo.

“Mr. Carillo said it best … that we’re supposed to just have fun, the one thing he wants us to do. And I think it’s really important when we’re all stressing about our performances.”

Fellow Ranger Choir member Alexis Arellano, ‘27, spoke on their events, saying, “I think I did pretty good, but it was kind of hard because we hear other people behind us and they’re louder … but we sang as one voice and it was really good!”

Arellano looks forward to future events after the results from the concerts. 

Just as Arellano, Dean believes he sang his part well and solidly knew his music.

“[I] feel very hopeful, it’s definitely better with the new kids. I think it’s just way more fun and it’ll be exciting to see what [we] can sing.”

Garrett carries a similar optimism, going on to say, “They’re making me really excited because it’s so early in the year, so I think we’re just going to progress more as a group.”

Arellano says, “I feel pretty confident in our next few concerts because we are getting more and more good.” 

Although successful on the stage, choir isn’t the only things taking up their time. These students, just as many others, need to find time to balance the blend of school work and performance.

Arellano found herself having a slightly hard time. Missing three days took a toll on the class work and homework she had to catch up on.

Dean admits, “Sometimes I don’t [balance school and choir], you just got to try your best to blend both those parts of your life. Also to have priorities over things to know what you should be doing first or what you should be putting first.”

People such as DeLaCruz continue to try and find time at home to finish up work and manage their work ahead of time. 

For Garrett, she believes the balance is a matter of passion. Both for the art and work.

Garret says, “If you want to do choir, you’re going to make time for it. A lot of late nights with homework, but it’s a lot of dedication and working hard.”

Tags: arts & entertainment, choir, Choir Concert, rangers, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, rhs, visalia ca