Chorus in West Springfield High School is an extracurricular activity where a group of students come together to sing choral pieces. Anyone is able to take chorus as a class with occasional after school rehearsals based off of sections and dress rehearsals before concerts. Being in chorus myself, it’s really amazing to listen to the blend of all the unique voices. Normally a chorus is made up of four sections, Baritone, Tenor, Alto, and Soprano with Baritone being the lowest part and Soprano the highest, but due to our size of students, we’re at the moment divided up into three of the four dis including Tenors, but that’ll change when we get more students in the future. Rehearsals are really productive and fun. We do tend to get off of track sometimes but we put in so much effort to entertain our audiences. In the year of 2022-23, chorus is not only offered as a class but is also a club for people who are unable to take chorus as a class. Chorus club has rehearsals after school on Wednesdays from 2 to 3, but don’t sing every piece that the chorus sings. Starting this year as well, the West Side Singers started singing songs with us, but songs that aren’t so complex. The West Side Singers class is a beginners chorus class where students learn simpler songs than the chorus learns, and they learn the songs at a slower pace so it’s easier for them. Whether you’re a shy person or think you are not the best singer, chorus is still amazing. Getting out of your comfort zone can be challenging, but when joining a family like chorus it gets easier and more comfortable. No one is pressured to do anything they feel uncomfortable with if it’s too nerve wracking. Chorus is a good way for people to bond with one another. The West Side High School Chorus is a special thing to be a part of and no matter what, we will always be one big family. 

On December 15th, 2022, the chorus had their yearly Holiday Concert conjoined with the school’s band. The West Side Singers got to sing a few songs with the chorus which were Candle Light Canon, and our sing-a-long songs Frosty the Snowman and Feliz Navidad which they finished off the chorus portion of the concert with. The chorus club sang along with the chorus as well singing Sending You A Little Christmas and 30 Second Merry Christmas. The chorus on their own sang Winter Wish which was their opening song, Cold Snap, and a mashup of Marshmallow World and Candy Man which first appeared in the popular 1971 movie Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. In my opinion, the concert was amazing. We had a big crowd that night, bigger than I expected. Choir director Mrs. Amy Taylor made note to her chorus students that it was the best singing they have ever done and she was very proud. During the concert, Mrs. Taylor and band director Mr. Nathan Holesvosky took the time to recognize their seniors and give them Christmas presents which is traditional for the holiday concerts. Overall the concert went amazing and probably the chorus’s best one yet. As a senior, I’m a little upset that it was my last holiday concert, but I’m very happy that it went super well and I was able to make more memories.

*ANNOUNCEMENT*

On January 6th, 2023, the Westside High Chorus will be performing the National Anthem at the Thunderbird’s game which starts at 7 pm. The performance will take place during the opening ceremony near the attack zone. Tickets are discounted to $16 per person by scanning the QR code on a flyer posted around the school. Anyone is welcome to attend and support their fellow peers.