Carbon High choir students recently went on tour to California to compete in the World Strides Music Festival, which hosts many events throughout the world. The judges are international adjudicators and clinicians.
While in California, the students were able to have a wide variety of fun, educational and cultural. They visited the beach, Sea World, Belmont Park and Old Town as well as took a dinner cruise on the USS Midway.
To plan a trip this size, it takes almost a year. From making a basic plan, organizers then worked on getting it approved by the school board, promoting, fundraising, planning a detailed itinerary and making reservations.
“Students always love missing school, but it gives them opportunities to unify as a choir department, build memories and experience new things,” said choir director Arthella Williams.
During the competition, students were able to work with clinicians and compete. All audition choirs (Vocal Jazz, Concert, Men, Musettes) had the opportunity to participate in this competition.
To take part in the well-known competition, students began preparing in January with festival repertoire that they perform at region.
Vocal Jazz was able to place gold, first place. Because of their score, they were invited to perform at Carnegie Hall next spring. Concert Choir and the Musettes took silver while the Men’s Choir finished with bronze.
“We had 110 people tour to San Diego, which is the most we’ve ever had,” Williams said. “It was crazy, yet a lot of fun. I like seeing the reactions of students on stage as they work with clinicians, as they experience something new for the first time (like seeing the ocean), and the fun relationships that are built and strengthened. I have a lot of really great kids in choir.”
Carbon High students attend this competition every other year due to the amount of planning and costs associated with the trip.
-
- Photo courtesy of CHS Choir Department
-
- Photo courtesy of CHS Choir Department
