By Isabel Hicks & Danica Rivera

The Choir department hosted its annual winter performance on Thursday, November 30, featuring performances from A cappella groups, G-Notes Show Choir, Honors Choir, Concert Choir, and Chamber Singers. This year’s concert’s theme was “Reaching for the Stars,” celebrating themes of achievement and hope. It was a sold-out production that was also live-streamed, allowing audiences to view it from the comfort of their homes. 

The performance showcased 23 songs, kicking off with the combined choirs performing renditions of “Earth Song” by Frank Ticheli and the Brazilian folk song “O Sapo,” arranged by Stephen Hatfield. 

Throughout the showcase, the choir ensembles sang their selected pieces that aligned with the theme of “Reaching for the Stars,” accompanied by several solo performances. 

The advanced Chamber Singers performed the song, “Stars I Shall Find” by David Dickau, which draws inspiration from the poem by Sarah Teasdale.

“It’s basically about celebrating your hopes and dreams and staying determined to reach those dreams,” senior and Chamber representative Lauren Welsh said. 

The Choir department began preparing months in advance for their production, organizing details from ticket prices to the arrangement of the singers during each performance. 

The students’ hard work and dedication were reflected in the seamless production, where each choir group performed. 

“People were really supportive,” Welsh said. “A lot of the alumni and some teachers came. It was just really nice to feel that support after you’ve worked really hard at something.”

In discussing the future of the Choir Department, choir program director Dr. Desiree Balfour, expressed her excitement and dedication to the ongoing opportunities the program will provide for both students and audiences. 

“I am super excited about the community of students, student leaders, parents, and alumni who passionately work to create such a thriving program,” Balfour said. “This is my fourth year at Granada and each year we grow stronger. Choir is truly a collaborative, creative endeavor that involves student leadership, commitment, enthusiasm, and hard work.” 

Even now that their winter concert is completed, the choirs will not rest on their laurels. Each choir will compete in the Spring including a choir tour to San Francisco. Furthermore, the Honors Choir and Chamber Singers have been preparing all year in collaboration with the L.A. Master Chorale. This collaboration involves the students composing and performing an oratorio (a large-scale composition that focuses on telling a story through music) which will premiere in February. 

“Being the only school chosen to participate in the Oratorio Project is a privilege and I am super excited to see the progress of the piece as well as performing it next semester,” junior and Honors Choir member Orion Ortiz said.