From concerts to competitions, the VRHS choir excels at what they do. Throughout the year, students perfect their skills and combine them create a beautiful chorus. The choir department is divided into five levels: Concert Treble, Concert Tenor Bass, Sirens, Chorale, and Ovation. With a love for their community and passion for their craft, singers share the ins and outs of the Ranger choir.
Students from the top two choirs, Ovation and Chorale, were interviewed about their preparations for upcoming events in the season. Their most recent showcase of skills was the Capital City Choir Clash competition on October 30th. At this event, choirs from all over the greater Austin area performed for a panel of judges hoping to earn an award. As their first year attending, VR singers were thrilled to participate in this new opportunity.
“We did really well at the Capital City Choir Clash because we received a perfect score,” senior Chloe Christian said. “We’ve been working hard in class to perfect our music and sound the best we can.”
Because they are performing against a higher level of difficulty, Ovation and Chorale have devoted a lot of time to the competition. Each class period is entirely dedicated to going over songs, cleaning difficult sections, and merging each distinct part into one. Although time-consuming and sometimes hard, singers find the experience rewarding.
“As the vice president, I am in charge of organizing events and being a leader,” senior Katherine Terry said. “I love to help lead my fellow choir members.”
In the program, various leaders help create the choir experience for the rest of the students. Leaders devote their time to organizing fun events, managing social media, and ensuring everyone feels comfortable and accepted. Many singers view them as role models and look up to their skills and experience.
“We have a very strong community in choir,” senior Ada Myrick said. “So many of the people in the group I’m with right now are the same people I’ve sung with since 6th grade.”
No matter the many different people and separate groups formed, the VR choir is one of the many tight-knit communities at our school. Many students have long relationships with each other as they have shared their love for singing through various stages of life. Additionally, the choir family is very diverse with singers from different backgrounds and interests. Nonetheless, they stick together through every concert and stage of the year.
“It’s a place where people are comfortable to be themselves regardless of our similarities and differences,” Myrick said.
You can catch the Vista Ridge Choir perform at their Broadway Night on November 19 at 7p.m. in the Vista Ridge Auditorium and then again at the Winter Concert on December 17 at 6 p.m. in the Leander High School PAC.
