On October 6th, at 7:00 pm the John W. North Choral Society saw a live and in-person performance featuring all three advanced choirs, and a number of soloists for the first time in almost two years.

Aubrey Rhoades, a member of Chamber Singers and the Show Choir was proud of the groups’ performances.

“I think the fall choral concert was amazing, everything fell together really perfectly, it went really smoothly, the performances were all incredible and everyone put a lot of work into it.

Commenting on being in two groups in one show, she said, “it was a little stressful, but honestly more exciting than anything, just getting to participate as much as possible in the program that I really love. I am really attached to both [choirs] honestly, and it was just a new experience on the whole.”

Pod Meredith, a member of the Show Choir and a soloist, singing the song As the World Caves In in an arrangement by Sarah Cothran was excited for the opportunity to perform for the first time in a long time.

“Performing a solo was really fun. It was nice to finally perform a solo again after two years, although, I will admit it was a little scary because I kinda forgot what it was like.”

Pod also enjoyed performing as a part of a group.

“This is my third year of show choir and honestly I love it. It is just as fun as I remember it from freshman year.”

Mrs. Hilland, the choral director remarked on the Choral Society Instagram page that, “goodness gracious, no one is more proud,” of the performance of the groups than herself.

The show opened with a Halloween arrangement from the Bel Canto Singers, with Monster Mash, Sally’s Song, accompanied by pianist Lilia Tomoff, also a member of the Chamber Singers, and Purple People Eater. Soloists featured within these songs were Ashley Martinez and Ashley Lopez-Garcia.

Next up was the first solo performance in two years! Eliana Mejia rocked The Bandit by the Kings of Leon, then Pod Meredith took the stage in As The World Caves In.

The Chamber singers took the stage for the singing of the Alma Mater, then, Build Me Up Buttercup featured the sopranos and altos of the Chambers, and Take Me Home Country Roads featured the tenors and basses. The choir came back for a moving performance of The Wellerman, featuring Gideon Logan. Their vocals were powerful.

Soloists Veronica Chagolla and Nolan Guarneros were up next, singing 1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back and Baka Mitai respectively. Nolan was quite the showman.

After a ten-minute intermission, Ashley Lopez-Garcia sang her heart out to Show Me How by Men I Trust, and Preston Muir did the same to Sweet Creature by Harry Styles.

Show Choir then dazzled the stage with a sparkly, choreographed tribute to Disney’s Tangled, singing, I See the Light and I’ve Got a Dream, featuring soloists Valeria Berrios, Ryan Veronick, Raven Leon, Eliana Mejia, Evelyn Dominguez, Piper Joven, and, Pod Meredith. Choreography credit goes to Sara Edwards, Molly Hayes, Isabelle Healy, and Raven Leon.

All featured performers included,
Bridget Bradbury
Veronica Chagolla
Princes Cook
Carlycia Manzo
Mikaela Ortiz
Emma Santana
Payton Delgado
Ashley Garcia
Briar Hooten
Jaylynn Lutes
Ashley Martinez
Alexia Valdovinos
Lilia Tomoff
Sarah Cristales
Chloee Haggard
Olivia Hara
Jasmine Ochoa
Juleen Rivera
Nicole Sifontes
Daisy Barragan Rosales
Kayla Lopez
Eliana Mejia
Aubrey Rhoades
Myra Ruiz Negrete
Oluwatosin Alagabada
Damian Cook
Vladimir Flores
Gideon Logan
Preston Muir
Isidro Alivae
Kyle Denison
Nolan Guarneros
Derrick Jacoby
Aaron Martinez
Valeria Barrios
Evelyn Dominguez
Isabelle Healy
Piper Joven
Raven Leon
Eliana Mejia
Pod Meredith
Arnold Morales Morales
Ailyn Moreno Escalante
Rachel Pendergast
Ryan Veronick

Photos/video credit to Mrs. Hilland and the Choral Society Instagram