Figueras 1 Ryan Figueras Tuttle 5 Chamber Singers Concert Report October 11th , 2013 Vocal Music Fall Concert

October 3rd, 2013

The event attended was the annual Fall concert presented by the spectacular Redlands High School Vocal Music Department on the 3rd of October, 2013 in Terrier Hall, Redlands High School. The style of music presented, was generally a very broad range from contemporary pop type music to classical and ethnic music, with the choir composition varying from all boys groups and all girls groups to mixed ensembles. The quality of the performance was very casual, yet classy and top notch. That evening, the various choirs showed that one doesnt need a suit and tie to appear professional and to deliver a high quality performance. It was very casual, and everyone enjoyed themselves, yet it still had an aura of that teenage professionalism. Each of the choirs was surprisingly developed and well trained for an October concert. I felt that the most polished pieces by far were Id Enter Your Garden from Cantare, Per La Gloria DAdorarvi from Les Chanteuses, Calendar Girl from Varsity Mens Chorus, and All the Pretty Little Horses for Chamber Singers. They sounded to me like the most dynamically developed and most refined pieces from each of the respective choirs. The blending harmonies in Cantare were buttery smooth and to my surprise I found myself enjoying their pieces. As for Les Chanteuses, I had heard them sing together before, but never quite like this, especially so early in the year. Calendar Girl from Varsity sounded warm and full from the start of their debut, and throughout

Figueras 2 the staged folly of it all, they still kept that warm, round and masculine tone. I especially noticed the melodic sound of the tenors this year. After only two months of singing together, it seems as though theyve been singing all their high school careers together. With that being said, there is definitely great potential for this year, and to be perfectly honest, Id have to say Im quite envious of this years varsity choir, as my freshman year pales in comparison. But then again, each year has its own set of strengths, weaknesses, and certain characteristics that would render a true, and unbiased comparison impossible. The entire performance as a whole could be described as comical, nostalgic, and thoughtful. Some of the choreography was very well done and just right for the music being sung, addressing Varsity in particular, as their staging of the music made it all the more enjoyable and made the audience participate in their music. It gave the music a more believable aspect and made the words truly come to life. The audience, as well as myself, was completely focused and generous with their attention. Despite the informality of the concert, I thought the audience was very polite and gracious in giving us their time, silence, and appreciation. As for myself, I was so captivated by the performances that I didnt bother doing anything else besides watching. That is one form of gauging how well the performance was delivered. In general, the audiences reactions to all the choreographic gestures was in accordance with my own as we were shocked and in comical disbelief when the Varsity Mens Chorus had their gestures for each respective costume. Experiencing the performance made me feel proud to be a part of such a wonderful organization that made beautiful music. It also made me feel thankful that I am able to contribute and also grateful for likeminded peers with whom to share common interests and companionship. In addition, it also made me feel nostalgic to see Varsity so developed this early on, and I felt connected to them, despite not being a part of their particular choir. If I was a media critic, I

Figueras 3 would not stop raving about the young talent in all of the RHS choirs. Though they still have much room for improvement, they still hold a great amount of potential even in their youth. With proper training and conditioning, they can, and in all likelihood, will achieve great things.