The campus choral program returns to school with plaques, trophies, and high scores after the annual Worldstrides Heritage Festival, April 3. 

Junior high choir, the high school mixed ensemble and ensemble Bellezza all earned the top rating, the Gold Award. Fresno Christian was in the 1A category: 600 students or less.

The Heritage Festival consisted of 37 choirs, competing from all over the western United States. Of the 37 choirs, 24 of them were from 3A schools, with a population of 1,200 or higher.

After a full day at Disneyland on Friday, choirs arrived at Fullerton College beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday to sing for a panel of three judges. After singing their repertoire, one of the judges gave a short clinic with the choir, giving pointers and feedback. All the judges were very complimentary to all our choirs.

At the end of the day, all choirs returned to Disneyland for awards in the Fantasyland Theatre. This venue was an amphitheatre with a large stage, seating 2,000 choir students and their teachers. In typical Disney fashion, the awards ceremony started with a live show of singers and dancers to hype up the crowd. Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Pluto were also part of the fun.

After the general awards, higher catergorized awards were handed out. Individual trophies, called ‘Maestro’ awards, were given to 12 soloists that adjudicators picked.

Junior high soprano Naty Tewodros was selected for her solo in ‘Elijah‘. The was the Adjudicator’s Award was given to choirs and bands with a score of 95 (out of 100) or higher. Only nine groups received this award, including women’s ensemble, Bellezza. The Bellezza was also awarded the Outstanding Choir award (top Heritage honor) with a score of 98. 

Choir director Susan Ainley shares excitement for each choirs acheivement. 

“Yes, I expected each choir to get a Gold reading,” Ainley said. “I had set a goal for each choir that they would all score a 90 or above. I am so incredibly proud of all of the acheivments they have made this year.”

Please return to The Feather later in the week for a full article on the campus Heritage Festival honors.

For more information, read FC choir makes trip to Worldstrides Heritage Festival.

For more Feather photos, visit media, photos 2016-17.