By McLean Grimes
Executive News Editor
Costa students from band, choir, and orchestra performed Valgrams on Valentine’s Day for students and staff on campus.
Valgrams are musical messages that students can send during the school day. Each Valgram cost $5 and could be sent during periods one through six. This year, teachers were given the option to opt out of Valgrams.
“I bought a few Valgrams this year,” said senior Maddie Johnson. “Every year it’s such a fun way to surprise my friends and I love this tradition at Costa.”
There were four groups total who participated, including Coterie, Muscle, Sax Pack, and Chamber Orchestra. Each group chose a series of songs to choose from while serenading the student who received the telegram. To prepare for the performances, each group had to memorize the song and hold rehearsals.
“While some may perceive Valgrams as mere jests, the reality is far more profound,” said senior orchestra Vice President Charles Hiatt. “It serves as a platform where individuals authentically express their sentiments of affection and appreciation.”
To buy a Valgram, students were sent a link to purchasing forms for all four groups. Each musical group had their own purchase deadline.
“I liked the new method to buy the valgrams this year,” said Johnson. “All of the links were all in the same place. In past years, I had to find a specific member or Instagram of the valgram group to get their purchasing link which got pretty complicated.”
Coterie, Costa’s upper voices group a cappella group, serenaded student recipients with “Killing Me Softly,” “Kiss Me,” “Love on Top,” and “My Love Mine All Mine.” The group also offered virtual valgrams that would be sent via email to the recipient.
“This year we are doing four songs, which was a lot to learn, but we are glad we have so many options and can make the most of the event,” said senior Coterie member Alison Custer. “Preparing for valgrams is always quick, but it is super fun because we get to pick and learn some of our favorite songs.”
Muscle, Costa’s lower voices a cappella group, sang “I’m Just Ken” and “Life Could be Dream (ShBoom).” Saxpack, a group of 5 saxophone players, performed “Careless Whisper,” “Toxic,” “Senorita,” “What Makes You Beautiful,” and “Thinking Out Loud.”
“My favorite Valgram group is the Sax Pack,” said Johnson. “I like them because everyone in it is really talented and I like the fun tradition.”
The Chamber Orchestra group performed with a variety of instruments, including the violin, cello, and viola. They performed “Bésame Mucho,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You,” and “Marry You.”
“In my capacity as a violinist within the chamber orchestra, one of the most enjoyable activities we undertake is the dissemination of Valgrams,” said Hiatt. “This endeavor never fails to ignite excitement as we traverse the school, imparting genuine expressions of affection on Valentine’s Day to individuals with whom our paths seldom cross.”
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