By Beckett Navarrette
Staff Writer
The Mira Costa Advanced Women’s Chorale and Vocal Ensemble traveled to San Francisco from Mar. 10 to 14 where they performed at Palo Alto High School and St. Mary’s of The Assumption Cathedral.
According to Choir Director Michael Hayden, the purpose of the trip this year, was to to share their sound with the rest of the state and to listen to the sounds of other California choirs.
“We like to share our music with different areas of our state” Hayden said. “I chose San Francisco because of its culture and educational opportunities.”
During the trip, the Advanced Women’s Chorale and the Vocal Ensemble also got to watch a performance by the Sonoma State University Chamber Singers. Afterwards, they got to work with Sonoma’s Director of Choral Activities Dr. Jenny Bent. Bent listened to them perform and then helped fine tune their sound and add some finishing touches to the music.
“It was a chance for us to have a university professor adjudicate us in a very personal way,” Hayden said, ”I chose Sonoma State for its commitment to excellence in music and also I wanted our students to work with a female conductor since they don’t experience that here at Mira Costa.”
The Advanced Women’s Chorale performed “Laudate Pueri Dominum” by Nancy Cobb Hill; “Prayer for The Gifts” by Lange; and “Song of Ruth” by David Childs. The Vocal Ensemble performed “Hark I Hear The Harps Eternal” by Alice Parker; “Agnus Dei” by Victoria, and “My Spirit Sang All Day” by Gerald Finzi. The Choirs performed these songs at Palo Alto High and St. Mary’s Cathedral.
“All of the performances went very well.” Vocal Ensemble President Calyssa Frankel said. “We have slowly been preparing since the beginning of the semester.”
After both performances, the choirs received feedback from Palo Alto High’s director and Sonoma’s director, Bent. All of the feedback helps to improve their sound for future performances, Advanced Women’s Chorale member junior Claire Layden said.
“The trip was definitely a success. We learned so much about how to better our sound and we all became so much closer” Layden said.
Although the San Francisco trip was a success, Hayden has decided to travel internationally for the choirs’ next trip next year. Next spring break, both choirs will be going on a river boat cruise throughout Germany on Ama Waterways and perform at venues all along the Danube River.
“The ship is amazing and the sights we’re gonna get to visit are just what I always wanted my students to experience in foreign travel.” Hayden said.
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