Choral Union, Vocal Ensemble play at Cathedral Concert at American Martyrs Church

By Sam Bell

Staff Writer

Mira Costa’s Choral Union and Vocal Ensemble performed on March 26 at the Cathedral Concert at the American Martyrs Church.

The Choral Union and Vocal Ensemble make up Costa’s advanced choirs. The Choral Union consists of 48 students, and Vocal Ensemble consists of 34 students. A total of 400 people attended the event, including students, teachers, parents and community members.

“For my choir, Choral Union, this concert was more to show gratitude for our  town,” freshman Leah Szabo said. “We just came back from touring to San Jose, and we were able to display that we are so thankful that our families were able to send us on these trips, as well as perform for them what we worked on while we were gone.”

Both the Vocal Ensemble and the Choral Union have been preparing daily since September, Costa junior Olivia Stanley said. This event combined two of Costa’s choirs together with their different musical pieces. Choir groups had the chance to perform in a new space with different acoustics, Stanley said.

“I think this concert was different from the rest because it was cool to hear choral music in a space that wasn’t the auditorium,” Szabo said. “Also, since it was the first concert for the Choral Union after touring, it was really nice to show our music to our friends and family in the South Bay.”

The concert was open for the whole community to attend. Tickets cost $25 at the door and were free for students who showed their I.D. The concert began at 7:30 p.m., and lasted about two hours.

“The main focus is to create music and perform what we have worked so hard on for the community as a whole,” Stanley said. “Also [we wanted] to share our love of the music as a group.”

The Choral Union sang a total of six songs as one choir and an extra two songs with Vocal Ensemble. They performed                                                                                                                                      several religious and classical songs such as “Preludium” by Rodger and Hammerstein, “Ave Maris Stella” by Eva Ugalde, “Crossing the Bar” by Gwyneth Walker and “Stars” by Ērik Ešenvalds.

“I know everyone has been working very hard all year, making the music sound way beyond our years and very professional,” Szabo said.