First, students had to pass rigorous auditions. Then came the grueling rehearsals; they learned a range of songs – including works by Bach, Handel and Rossini – in languages ranging from Arabic to Chinese to Italian. And finally, a tantalizing live show with 268 of the top young voices around: the prestigious Southern Region Honor Choirs concert at the University of Redlands.
In all, 11 Jurupa students joined the November 17th honors ensemble, which Patriot High Choral Director Matthew Netto called exciting, profound, inspiring, and full of musical achievement.
Three guest conductors directed three choirs of about 90 students each – different combinations of soprano, alto, tenor and bass vocalists. Students rehearsed the program for three days of eight hours or more.
The vocalists praised the opportunity.
“The experience made me a better singer and performer because I got to work with a new director and new people and learn from them and these new experiences,” said Karissa Espinoza, a junior at Rubidoux High.
“I really enjoyed working with (conductor) Trey Davis,” said Jesus Cordova, an RHS senior. “He was inspirational and taught with so much charisma and from the heart.”
The students’ vocals, honed through performance, reflect months or years of teamwork, diligence, and perseverance.
Choir also teaches students myriad life skills, Mr. Netto said, including good citizenship, personal responsibility, and how to function effectively in a group. Choir requires the coming together, not just of individual talents, but also of each choral section – women’s, men’s and mixed – and, ultimately, the ensemble as a whole. Honors choir builds on such challenges, introducing new leaders, material, and group dynamics while kindling new friendships.
“Everyone there was so talented and welcoming and the environment was just amazing to be in,” Corey Fisher, a junior at Patriot High, said of the honors choir. “The music we learned really topped it off because the songs were very diverse and beautiful.”
The honors choir auditions, held in September and October, required each student to sing a solo operatic Italian art song, pass a music theory test, and sight-read a passage of music, all completed live before expert judges.
The JUSD students who passed this year’s strenuous test: Alan Torres, Jurupa Valley High; Jesus Cordova and Karissa Espinoza, Rubidoux High; and Anthony Amaro, Samantha Bowes, Corey Fisher, Austin Huett, Morgan Jourdonnais, Donovan Lemay, Jeremy Pena, and Ryan Stenger, Patriot High.
“We had very high audition scores in general,” said Mr. Netto, who coordinates the honors choir for the Southern California Vocal Association but does not judge student auditions or decide which JUSD students make the cut.
The regional auditions also determine which students qualify for the All State Honor Choirs. The statewide event, March 14-16 in San Jose, will convene three new choirs of 90 students each from throughout California. Ten JUSD students, all of whom performed in the regional honors choir, have made All State this year: seven from PHS, two from RHS, and one from JVHS.
It has been a tough yet rewarding journey, the singers said.
“The choir experience was really fun and kind of scary to begin,” said Alan Torres,
JVHS junior. “But once I got on stage, I relaxed and it felt amazing to be there and be a part of it...I will definitely do this again.”
Asked about the traits and habits of top choir students, Mr. Netto emphasized high integrity and strong organizational skills.
“I am very proud of all the district’s students who auditioned for the choirs this year,” said the instructor, who also praised his fellow choral directors Jeff Lin, of RHS, and Cassandra Foust, of JVHS. “JUSD is a great place to be a singer.”
