During three rehearsals, students gather at Clovis North High School and work with a conductor, usually a college professor. This year, the high school director is Robert Istad from Cal State Fullerton.

The junior high director is Phil Robb, from Gilroy. Rehearsals vary from 4-7 hours each over the three days. On Feb. 6, students will miss school for the longest rehearsal (9 a.m.- 4 p.m.) at Clovis North. There is a final four-hour rehearsal, then the performance at the Shaghoian Performing Arts Center that is open to the public, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. (singers call time is 5:30 p.m.)

The community is invited to the Shaghoian Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. for the concert, which begins with the JH and finishes with the high school. Seven junior high choir students from Fresno Christian will participate and sing “Kyrie Eleison”, “Rattle on the Stovepipe”, “Little David Play on Your Harp”, “Festival Santcus” and “Shenandoah”.

Susan Ainley says she is sending about 20 high school students, and they will perform “Liebenslust”, “Hallelujah”, “Requiem”, “It Was a Lover and His Lass”, and “Worthy to be Praised”.

Ainley emphasizes the importance of this opportunity for her students.

Our size does not hinder us, however, in sending well-prepared students. In fact, almost every year one of our own choir students is selected to sing a solo during the performance. Last year, Andrew Guthrie had a solo, and this year, junior high soprano Macie Thompson has been selected. — Susan Ainley, FC choral director

“Honor Choir is a lot of extra work for the students,” Ainley said. “Right at the time we are preparing our own repertoire for festival. It’s an important experience, not just for the highly skilled musician. Because we have a smaller student body, this is an opportunity for our choir students to sing with a large group.”

Senior Andrew Guthrie took on a challenging solo last year which helped him to become a better performer.

“I had a solo last year in the spanish piece “Mata del Anima Sola”,” Guthrie said. “The solo took the entire song, with the choir as a background, making the sounds of instruments. Doing the solo actually taught me to be less nervous for performing, since we were performing for a huge audience. I love being a part of honor choir. Being together with like-minded singers is always exciting and new.”

Hannah Nale, ’17, tried out for a solo this year and is excited for the event.

“Although I didn’t get the solo, I do not regret trying out,” Nale said. “It helped boost my confidence while performing and has helped me prepare for other upcoming tryouts. This is my first year doing honor choir and it has been a super cool new experience but also a hard one.”

Ainley also points out that although FC has a limited amount of students, however, it does not limit their overall performance.

“Our size does not hinder us, however, in sending well-prepared students,” Ainley said. “In fact, almost every year one of our own choir students is selected to sing a solo during the performance. Last year, Andrew Guthrie had a solo, and this year, junior high soprano Macie Thompson has been selected.”

Macie Thompson, ’19, received the only solo this year and was surprised at her lack of nerves.

“This is my first year on Honor Choir because I broke my arm last year and wasn?t able to perform,” Thompson said. “I wasn?t very nervous when trying out for my solo. I was more excited then nervous. Ultimately, I would love to be able to inspire someone to sing with my solo.”

Those wanting to attend the honor choir performance at the Shaghoian Performing Arts Center, Feb. 7, can purchase tickets at the door: $8 for adults, $5 for students/seniors. The music begins at 7 p.m.

For more news, read the Feb. 4 article, Student Leadership: Valentines Day celebration plans.