As a school, FC is always making renovations and changing schedules. One of these changes has occurred in the music department, where the schedule has been modified to be a better fit for the new class size. This year will serve as an experiment to see how students assimilate to the transition.

In the previous school year, choir was split into two periods with roughly 40 students per session. Now, because the number of pupils has dropped from around 80 to about 50, the choir meets as a whole during eighth period.

Even though choir has undergone this change, sophomore Ali Cowan shares that she has not felt major effects from the switch.

“Even though there are less people in choir now, the atmosphere hasn?t really changed,” Cowan said. “Maybe we?re a little more concentrated than last year, but on the other hand we might be a little less concentrated. Personally, I feel much more concentrated.”

Kim Ward, ?15, says she?s felt the changes in a positive way. A nice switch for her is that choir no longer meets for zero period at 7 in the morning.

“I think choir?s different because we had two different periods last year, and this year we?re all together,” Ward said. “Plus we don?t have to get up so early for one, and now we?re all united as a family. This year we get to bond more, I guess you could say, and be more connected during performances. I would say we sound better this year.”

Last year, the choir was invited to the Heritage Festival in San Diego, CA. Students generally agreed that the three-day trip helped the choir grow stronger. The group also came back with a gold medal for their performance.

Freshman Poojan Gopal was not part of choir last year, but says he is excited for the trips that are planned, and always has fun in class.

“It?s my first time in a choir, so at first I didn?t know what to expect,” Gopal said. “I?m glad I joined, because it?s pretty fun and I?m looking forward to the trips we?re going to take. It?s a good way to get to know people, too.”

Senior Daniel Moore points out that the smaller size of the choir has kept the learning process more organized, and says he likes the music that was chosen for the upcoming festivals.

“There?s a bigger group in the class, but a smaller group overall,” Moore says. “I?d say there are less experienced people, because a lot of the more experienced people moved into ensemble. We?ve made pretty good progress compared to last year, because last year?s choir was so big it could get pretty disorganized. Also, some of the music is carried over from last year, and I really like that music. Overall, the atmosphere is pretty much the same.”

Choir director, Michael Ogdon enjoys the atmosphere of this year more last year’s because of the class unity.

“I like it a lot more,” Ogdon said. “It helps to have them [students] all in one place. The energy sometimes works too well, but it’s really been great. My expectations are for us to figure out how to match pitch first, and once we get that we’re going to run downhill fast.”

This author can be reached via Twitter: @_chloemueller. Follow The Feather via Twitter: @thefeather.

For more features, read the Sept. 6 article, Walk ‘n’ Role benefits disabled community, organization.