On May 5, Aragon hosted its annual Spring Choir Concert called “甜蜜蜜 Sweet Honey” in the theater. This event showcases Aragon’s choir students. The choirs performed a total of 11 songs, along with songs from a capella groups and a performance from the Bowditch Middle School Choir.
Preparation for concerts is a time consuming process that allows for students to immerse themselves into the songs before performing them.
“We prepare a lot in our classes, but within our rehearsals, we get the pieces months before the performance,” said freshman Gwen Johnson. “We talk about what the feel of the song is [and] what we’re trying to go for in the piece.”
This year’s performance showcased particularly emotional songs, as noted by choir members.
“I liked ‘And Ain’t I A Woman’ because [of] the message and I think the meaning is really good,” said freshman Sophia Rayes. “There’s a lot of emotion as well and I think that we performed it really well. I also think that everyone liked our performance.”
While some songs are more technically complex than others, the show showcased a variety of selections that the group has worked on over the course of the year.
“‘Overflowing’ has a flow that everyone can reach and it sounds pretty,” said freshman Heli Artola. “We also never sing songs like ‘Overflowing.’ All the other songs usually have high pitches and are hard to sing but ‘Overflowing’ was very soothing and easy.”
Music is an indispensable part of life, whether you’re in choir or not
Most songs performed were accompanied by pianist Manu Petaia.
“‘Sing Creation’ by Stephen Paulus [is my favorite song],” Petaia said. “Of all the music I have played this academic year, this piece is easily the most extroverted and bombastic. It is laid out very idiomatically for the piano and is incredibly satisfying to play.”
Aragon’s a cappella groups brought a playful energy to the concert. Group Name’s Disney tunes, Treble with Angels’s Ariana Grande and September’s “Java Jive,” a song about coffee to wake the audience up, all contributed to an upbeat mood.
“I really liked the song that September sang,” said freshman Darren Benavente. “I think it was really funny. The performance ‘Group Name’ did was really creative and I think it added to the show.”
Along with singing, graduating students gave gifts and speeches dedicated to both Director of Orchestras and Choirs John Chen and Manu Petaia to show their gratitude and appreciation for them over the years.
“I thought it was really entertaining and heartfelt, especially seeing the seniors giving gifts to Chen and [Petaia].” Benavente said. “It was really nice to just see all of the seniors bonding at the concert for the last time.”
“甜蜜蜜 Sweet Honey,” being the seniors’ last concert of their high school career, brought many emotions.
“I transferred here junior year, but these past two years have been the best and the fastest [two] years,” said senior Gemma Gibeault. ”There’s a lot of emotions, but I know everybody’s always going to be in my heart.”
Choir has formed strong bonds between all grade levels.
“I think that choir in general has brought me a family to come back to and lifelong friends that of course I’m going to miss when they’re gone,” said junior Z Carracedo. “[I] was just met with such welcome and warm arms. I had a home right away to come back to.”
Although the performance was filled with celebration, it also reminded the students that this would be their last time singing as a group.
“It was kind of a bittersweet moment because I know this is our last concert together, even though it was one of the few that we did together,” Rayes said. “It feels like we made such a connection over the years, and I’m really going to miss them all.”
It feels like we made such a connection over the years, and I’m really going to miss them all
Both the audience and the participating students shared the experience of everyone performing together for one last time.
“I think that this was one of our best concerts yet,” Carracedo said. “I wouldn’t trade anything in the world for it. I adored this night.”
The concert showed how music helps students find their passion and talent.
“Music is an indispensable part of life, whether you’re in choir or not,” Petaia said. “There is nothing quite like being able to come together with your peers and participate in creating art for your enjoyment and the enjoyment of others in one of the most natural ways the human body knows how.”
