On October 15th from 7 to 9 p.m. in the small theater, Mira Costa’s Choir Department hosted their annual Pops Concert, which featured a variety of performances organized by Choir teacher and director Kate Crellin and choir students.
The Choir’s Pops concert exclusively features pop songs, which were picked out by choir students and Ms. Crellin. The concert consisted of group ensembles, solo, duet, small group and beatboxing performances. Some students performed instruments like guitars, piano, ukulele, and even their own original songs.
“This is our first concert of the year, and it’s been awesome to see the growth we’ve had in just the first few weeks of school!”, said Ms. Crellin.
The concert opened with the A Cappella group Coterie performing “We Can’t Be Friends” by Ariana Grande, arranged by Ms. Crellin, followed by “Demise”, an original song performed by Sonnet Prakash. “The Cup Song” by Anna Kendrick, performed by students Talula Pooley, Shelby Larson, and Abi Gustavson, performed after.
“I remember feeling extremely proud of Choral Union and Espresso because we’ve dedicated so much time and effort to it, and it was so satisfying seeing the energy we gave into rehearsal being transposed into the quality of the performance.”, said Karyme Valeriano, senior president of Choral Union.
This concert is unique because most of the performances are student-curated, different from Choir’s traditional big-stage concerts, which are more formal and conducted. Ms. Crellin only selected the 3 songs performed by the main ensembles, and everything else was arranged and put together entirely by students.
“The process of preparing for an event can be a little stressful at times,” sophomore Zola Pickens said, an alto two in the vocal ensemble, “but Ms. Crellin does a good job of making sure that we are prepared and know our songs beforehand.”
The Pops Concert is a fundraiser concert, so all of the proceeds Costa Choir raises from admission to the concert, along with other events like bake sales and raffles, go towards helping lower travel costs for students attending their spring break trip to Ireland and England.
“I am so excited to say that I am going to the Ireland/England Tour with Mira Costa Choirs!”, said Valeriano. “Aside from being given the opportunity to sing in beautiful cathedrals in Europe, we have the privilege to sing together as an ensemble with the people who care about the program and are just as passionate about singing as you are.”
All of the songs are learned in class, and choir students have a dress rehearsal the day of the concert. Vocal Ensemble and Choral Union rehearsed their songs in class, and everything else was prepared by students – they chose their own songs, practiced on their own, and auditioned them to Ms. Crellin.
“My favorite part about being in choir is that our teacher is young but knowledgeable in the craft, so I can learn a lot in the class because she knows how to keep it entertaining due to the fact we are in the same generation.”, said Pickens.
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