aCHOIRing Experiences in High School

There are many electives across the school. From languages like Spanish to performances like Dance, Portola High School is filled with classes for people of different interests. Even in music, there are many different ensembles, from Band, to Orchestra, and even Guitar, filled with people who are eager to learn the instrument. However, one form of music that doesn’t gain enough attention here, possibly for the lack of an instrument, is singing. Our PHS choir, directed by Mr. Adrian Rangel-Sanchez, is a class for both guys and girls that is open for everyone to join. The best part of choir is that everyone has a natural ability to sing and can always improve it through this class, and there are many ways to participate without having years of private lessons.

Traditionally, the choir is split into four sections, which are listed from highest pitch to lowest: the sopranos (the high-pitched girls), the altos (the lower-pitched girls), the tenors (the higher-pitched guys), and finally the bases (the lowest voices). Everyone has a position in this system, and contributes greatly to the sound. A lot of people feel like they shouldn’t join choir because they “can’t sing,” but that just isn’t true. Everyone exercises their voice, and like any art form, practice makes everything better.

I starting singing only because of my parents, without a clue of how anything works, and struggled a lot. However, now I am one of choir’s strongest voices, to the extent that I was honored with the title of Artist of the Month for singing last December. I also contribute significantly to our choir by occasionally accompanying as a pianist. The reason I decided to continue choir with the intent to do it throughout high school, even though I was forced, was because of how quickly I fell in love with it. It’s an amazing experience, full of laughter, enjoyment, and beautiful music. The feeling you have when you hear a four-note chord resonate in the song between all the performance as you sing is a moment you want to cherish and be a part of. It’s also like a team or family in a sense, where everyone bonds and helps each other, making them better together.

Another thing that people think, that hinders a choir, is the idea that it isn’t for guys. That’s just completely ridiculous. The choir teacher himself is a guy, and theres nothing saying guys can’t be singers. Look at the singing industry. From Ed Sheeran to Shawn Mendes, DJ Khaled to Drake, the industry is filled with prominent men as well. The idea of guys not having a place in choir is ridiculous, because they fill in the bottom sections, which is essential to any music sounding rich and full.

Needless to say, we obviously need as many people, girls and guys, and there is no limitation to the number of people who can join. As something that anyone can join, and everyone will enjoy, choir is an amazing experience, and should definitely be something you try for yourself.

Follow @portolahschoir