Campus concert highlights individual vocalists, group repertoire, future festivals

As the leaves change colors and pumpkin patches pop up around town, the FC choir groups prepare for their fall concert, Oct. 21. Over 120 vocalists and musicians plan to perform throughout the evening in the Peoples Church main auditorium, 7 p.m.

The purpose of the fall concert is to present the songs that choir students have been learning since school started. Many singers gather motivation to prepare themselves for a performance in front of their home audience.

During the fall choir concert, the 55-member Cantiamo choir will be singing three songs. The group plans to perform “Psalm 100”, featuring a tambourine solo played by freshman Riley Goldsborough, “Down to the River to Pray”, highlighting a duet with Andrew Scully, ’23, and Derek DeGroot, ’22, and “Buffalo Gals”.

Choral director Susan Ainley has directed the campus choirs for over 19 years. During that time, she has led the junior high choirs for nine years and the high school choirs for five years. She shares her expectations for the fall concert and her enthusiasm for students to perform new music.

“I hope the students who have never sung in a choir before will feel the excitement of singing in a large group for the first time,” Ainley said. “For the choir veterans, it’s a chance to sing new repertoire for their family and friends.”

Over 20 chamber choir members practice three songs for the concert: “Sing Praise to God”, “Woodsmoke and Oranges” and “Pure Imagination”. The chamber vocalists showcase their skills through the acapella elements of the event. Several students will also play rhythm instruments for the songs.

In the following tweet, the FC chamber choir sings “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the homecoming game.

FC Chamber Choir opens the night with The National Anthem. Great singing students! @fresnochristian #TheFeather #FChomecoming19 pic.twitter.com/pWqapy8Oae

— The Feather Online (@thefeather) October 5, 2019

Senior chamber choir member Danielle Foster joined choir last year and engages with the student body on the leadership team. Foster shares her perspective on the concert as she rehearses songs with her group.

“I am especially excited for this year’s fall concert,” Foster says. “As a senior and a second year choir student, I am thrilled to show off all that we have learned in the past three short months. My favorite song of that we as chamber choir is singing is ‘Pure Imagination’ because it highlights all of our parts equally.”

In the following podcast, senior Laura Rauscher discusses the fall concert with director Susan Ainley.

Involved with the worship team at CrossCity church for two years, senior Blake Deffenbacher participates in choir to spend time with friends and learn vocal techniques. He looks forward to showcasing the team’s progress through the fall concert.

“Until this year, I have been a part of the larger mass choir Cantiamo,” Deffenbacher said. “It has been super fun and challenging to work with our advanced, auditioned group. I’m sure that all of the work we have put into our music will pay off at the concert and I personally cannot wait to be a part of it.”

The 46 students in the middle school choir prepare to perform two songs during the evening. The first song, “Sisi Ni Moja”, means “We are One” in Swahili. The second song, “KidSong”, includes multiple tunes that toddlers hum along to and compacts them into one song.

During the performances, Ainley strives to step back and watch her students’ talent unfold. As students conclude song rehearsals, Ainley attempts to translate the enthusiasm of the vocalists to the audience.

“I’m always happy to present songs that we have been working on to an audience,” Ainley said. “During the performance, I try to enjoy the moment as if I’m an audience member, letting the music move me. These students love to sing, and I want that to translate to everyone who is there.”

Accompanist Ben Certain will accompany the choirs on both the piano and drums during the concert.

The campus choirs next perform at the Fresno State Invitational Choral Festival, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Oct. 23. The festival will continue through Oct. 25. The event is held in the Fresno State Concert Hall, 2380 East Keats Avenue & N. Maple Ave., Fresno.

Ainley said over 60 high school and college choirs from the Valley will participate. This year the guest clinician is Dr. Edith A. Copley.

“In our session (Wednesday morning), the other school performing will be Clovis West,” Ainley said. “Their director, Tonya Florer, will present her women’s ensemble, concert choir and chamber choir. After each performance, Dr. Copley will give a short clinic, as well as provide written remarks and a ranking.”

The campus music department provides information for the upcoming fall concert in the following tweet.

Fresno Christian presents their Fall Choral Concert! Come to the @pcfresno auditorium at 7 p.m., Oct. 21, to hear music from Middle School Choir, Chamber Choir, and Cantiamo! @fresnochristian #TheFeather pic.twitter.com/cReCkLYidQ

— The Feather Online (@thefeather) October 17, 2019

This is the first time Ainley has taken her choirs to this festival although FC has participated in the past.

“For the past five years, we have been attending the FPU fall festival,” Ainley continued, “but this year I decided to try a different venue. Both festivals are well run and provide a great venue for choral singing. We have many students who decide to attend FSU after high school, and I would love to see more of them participate in the music program.”

The last FC alumni who sang in a Fresno State choir was Hannah Nale, ’17. Nale attended Fresno Christian, sang in the Bellezza Ensemble and was student body president her senior year.

“Hannah is singing at Fresno State which has a wonderful music program and I would love to see FC and FSU more connected musically.”

After the fall performances, the chamber choir rehearses new tunes for the Westmont Fall Choral Festival, Nov. 1, and all choir groups practice for the 2019 Christmas concert, “Lessons and Carols”, Dec. 9. The concert features interactive sing-along elements to engage audience members in the Christmas spirit.

For more information about joining ensemble or future trips, contact Susan Ainley by email.

For more articles, check out Ezekiel Fuller displays work ethic through on campus, off campus activities or Megan Conner takes on campus drama program with creative ambition.

Laura Rauscher can be reached via email.