Dear Editor:

Women’s ensemble, Bellezza, has a packed Christmas concert itinerary. Their most recent choral experience was participating in the Westmont Invitational Choral Festival in Santa Barbara, CA, Oct. 27. The group received high marks from Steve Hodson, professor of conducting and piano studies at Westmont College.

I was extremely proud of our women’s ensemble. They were the smallest group performing, from the smallest school participating. They sang beautifully, exceeding my high expectations. During the clinic, the choral professor used our group as a positive example for many choral techniques. The first thing he said to me was ‘wonderful vocal training going on.’ Then, he cited one of the techniques we use to increase clarity and diction as a ‘how to’ example to the other choirs.

I think the thing I’m always impressed with from this group, and all my choral groups on campus, is their ability to take the stage in a confident manner. People always comment on their confidence; this is something that is hard to teach, but our group consistently exudes this trait. This makes the audience feel comfortable, helping them enjoy the performance. A student from another choir said, ‘Just by the way they stood there, I knew it was going to be great-they owned that song!’

Immediately upon return from Santa Barbara, all choral groups furiously began learning Christmas music. The junior high choir, high school choir, and ensemble will present “Lessons and Carols” concert in the Peoples Church auditorium, Dec. 11. This will be a beautiful concert of Christmas carols and other Christmas music, with readings from the Bible in between the songs.

Ensemble will also be singing in other community concerts, learning a different set of music for these outings. Our first opportunity will be Dec. 3, when we will join with several Fresno area groups in a Sounds of the Season concert. This will take place in the GL Johnson chapel at 3 p.m., and is a ticketed event.

Former FC choral director, Mike Ogdon, who now directs Voices United, a women’s barbershop group, asked Bellezza to participate to be the choral element in the concert. Also performing is the Gold Note Chorus, a men’s barbershop group.

On Dec. 4, the women will sing for Foundation Church in Clovis, where Celeste Counts, ’18, attends. They will be the entertainment for their women’s Christmas gathering, singing both sacred and secular Christmas music.

Finally, on Dec. 12, the group will travel to The Bridge church to perform their set of Christmas tunes, which include “Ding dong, Merrily on High”, “We Wish You the Merriest” and “Children, Go Where I Send Thee”.

Susan Ainley has been at the masthead of the music program for 17 years. The director is determined to train her students to be the most disciplined vocalists in the nation.

Susan Ainley can be reached via email. 

For more articles, read Teens discuss qualities of a hero. For more on the campus music department, read Music department tops off year with annual spring concert.