Pink and red lights wash over the crowd, immersing parents and students alike in the colors of the season of love. The air smells faintly of the congratulatory roses dispersed throughout the room in the arms of the performers’ loved ones. The band readies their instruments, inciting excited chatter from the audience. With love and anticipation floating in the air, the crowd awaits the heart-warming melodies of Fresno Christian’s 10th Annual Valentine’s Day Concert, “A Decade of Love.”
As a Fresno Christian annual tradition, the FCS Chamber and Concert Choir looks forward to performing in this event all year. Choir Directors Susan Ainley and Ben Certain host the production with Cheer and Leadership Advisor and Student Liaison Hope Villines as the master of ceremonies.
The historically-crowded event included two showings this year to provide a special experience for the parents of the performers. The 4 p.m. show had a $5 admission fee and general seating (geared toward students), while the 7:30 p.m. showing had special tables for separate parties and a cheesecake dessert for $20 per ticket. This made the concert more intimate for the performers’ loved ones.
Fresno Christian parent Dawn Hinton appreciated the new ability to reserve seating for the concert, allowing her to relax and enjoy the moment.
“We didn’t have to arrive early because we knew there were seats for us,” Hinton said. “The tables were beautifully dressed and the students always amaze me with their talent. Mrs. Ainley and Mr. Certain coach and prepare the choir students so well.”
A photo area provided just inside the entrance, adorned with sparkling hearts, festive balloons and a bold red backdrop, presented the perfect photo opportunity for students to take pictures before and after the performance, catching one of the singers for a snap if they were lucky enough.
Senior Chloe Johnson attended the concert to support her friends and her boyfriend, Caleb Iest, ’25. With so many people dear to her heart involved in the show, the experience was made even more memorable.
“It was very special watching my friends perform and sing something that is not choral music. They were given their own spotlight, which was so fun to watch,” Johnson said. “I was able to watch both shows and I couldn’t stop smiling the whole time, especially when my boyfriend Caleb was singing.”
The set list was hand-picked by the choir to showcase love through the decades and to display each student’s talent and hard work for the enjoyment of the Fresno Christian community.
The order of performances included:
“Fly Me to the Moon” – Matthew Tacchino
“Journey to the Past” – Maggie Phanco
“Forever and Ever, Amen” – Caleb Iest
“Daddy Daughter Dance” – Jane Cox
“You and Me” – Luke Hall
“Almost Like Being in Love” – Laina Penland
“Fraulein” – Caleb Tuck
“Stay” – Maya Cortez
“Helpless” – Maggie Phanco, K’lanna McArn, Bella Hess
“L-O-V-E” – Jeremy Reimer
“Some Things Are Meant to Be” – Jane and Brooke Cox
“Maybe” – Emrie Thompson
“This Old Heart of Mine” – K’lanna McArn
“Broken Like Me” – Bella Hess
“If You Love Me” – Chara Jacobs
“All I Ask of You” – Caleb Tuck and Maggie Phanco
This concert sparked my inquisitiveness in an answer to the burning question: what does the word “love” actually mean? The dictionary definition of love is “an intense feeling of deep affection,” an explanation modeled in songs that represent love in a multitude of ways.
Junior Matthew Tacchino sang the opening song of the concert for the second year in a row. With the well-loved song “Fly Me to the Moon,” Tacchino enthralled the audience with the riveting feelings that represent old-timey love. His rendition of this classic did, indeed, “fill my heart with song,” as his performance portrayed the dedication and yearning all hope to experience.
Sung by senior Lyla Hinton, the song “Butterflies” took us back to the little things that characterize the wondrous feelings of love. The line “You’re takin’ my hand ‘stead of takin’ my crown” reminded me that a relationship is meant to be equally yolked and that love is meant to lift each other up. Hinton’s warmth-filled rendition of this song inspired me to stand up and sing along with her. She truly did give me butterflies with thoughts of the giddiness and excitement of the early stages of love.
Tragic break-ups are the downside of love. Bella Hess, ‘26, possesses a voice with a rich, engaging timbre that had the audience holding its breath as she sang “Broken Like Me.” Love, while one of the most beautiful experiences life has to offer, has the potential to cause a world of pain at its loss. I was struck speechless by the depth of Hess’ vocals. Her adept ability to guide the crowd through the emotion of this song with just her voice and guitar is extraordinary.
Love can be an intense experience, and sometimes inspires fear, but never once did love seem scary when Maggie Phanco, ‘25, and Caleb Tuck, ‘26, took the stage. I was captivated by their concert finale, “All I Ask of You” from The Phantom of the Opera. Never have I seen two people more well-suited for such a beautiful duet. Phanco possesses an astounding vocal range with notes so beautifully high they send your heart to the ceiling. Tuck has a unique lower vocal range that grabs your attention and sends goosebumps across your skin. The words “Let me be your shelter, let me be your light” caused my heart to stir with the recognition of an all-consuming love that provides not only safety but a true home in the heart of another.
This concert took me on a rollercoaster ride through a whirlwind of emotions that accompany love, and I couldn’t be more exhilarated by it. I was positively blown away by the beauty of the singing and the talent Fresno Christian’s Choir has to offer. My one hope is that everyone has a chance to experience something this moving and heart-warming. I will not be missing next year’s show, and I encourage everyone to keep it in mind next February; It’s a perfect date boys!
Check out additional media on the concert by visiting Students perform at the 10th annual Valentine’s Concert.
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