Zachary Passmore combines wit and passion in choral rookie season

While some students fear singing in front of crowds, sophomore Zachary Passmore stepped up to perform in the high school choir. Though this is his rookie season in choir, he is not too embarrassed to sing in front of crowds. He also has a talent in playing the bass guitar and plans to join worship team next year.

“I’ve played the bass for about two years and I sometimes play at my church,” Passmore said. “I learned from my bass teacher Ben at the Gottschalk’s Music Center. I learned how to play it because my parents said I needed to learn an instrument.”

Passmore enjoys choir and hopes to learn more about what his voice can do.

“I joined choir this year because I needed VPA {Visual Performing Arts} credits to graduate high school,” Passmore said. “I thought about doing choir next year as well, but I will probably do worship team. I enjoy taking the class and learning new things about my voice and singing.”

Choir gives a chance for singers to improve and strengthen their voice. It can also be a way to improve your relationships with other students in the class by sharing a common passion.

“I like it when our class starts getting good at a song and everyone sings it well,” Passmore said. “One of my weaknesses is trying to learn all the honor choir music because it’s stuff I’ve never heard of and is harder. Another weakness is that I’m a tenor and sometimes I can’t hit all the higher notes and I want to work on being able to project my voice so people in back rows can hear me. My strength is not being embarrassed about singing in front of people or large groups.”

Though some people take choir seriously, it can also be fun and a good learning experience.

“I take choir pretty seriously, but I also have fun,” Passmore said. “I look forward going to the Heritage Festival because we go to Disneyland after. Though I have fun now with this class in high school, I think there might be some singing in my future. I look up to Andrew Guthrie, ’15, because though he’s not in choir often, he learns the music fast and does his part for choir.”

His personality is very funny and has a special voice of character and likes to come out sometimes. He is also pretty good at mimicking the sopranos. Zach is very humorous and impersonates the character Mort from Madagascar, but not purposely. Sometimes Mort will ‘come visit us’ randomly. He always comes when it is serious. — Choral director Susan Ainley describing Zach Passmore

Choir teacher Susan Ainley is sent four tenors to honor choir this year. Though the music is extremely difficult for person who has not been in choir long, Passmore decided to do it and she appreciates that he stuck to it even if it is said to be hard and boring.

“Zach has a brother who is a good singer and is part of the Fresno Pacific Choir,” Ainley said. “He is starting to believe in himself as singer and not just his brother. I’ve seen Zach grow in confidence as the school year has progressed and has a good concept of a head voice. The tenor section as the group has developed into a very fine group.”

Ainley enjoys having Passmore in her class and would like to see him try for a solo because she knows he can do it. Zach brings humor and laughter to choir even as the sophomore discovers musical talent in the music department.

“His personality is very funny and has a special voice of character and likes to come out sometimes,” Ainley said. “He is also pretty good at mimicking the sopranos. Zach is very humorous and impersonates the character Mort from Madagascar, but not purposely. Sometimes Mort will ‘come visit us’ randomly. He always comes when it is serious.”

Senior Cole Nale is also in choir and appreciates Passmore’s humor and personality.

“Zach’s strength in choir is rugged good looks along with a little singing,” Nale said. “He just wants to have a good time and enjoy the class. He is always focused on perfecting the song quickly so we can have free time earlier.”

This writer can be reached via Twitter: @NataliaTorres.

For more features, read the Feb. 12 article, Substitue teacher makes the most of her experience.