By: Owen Fugit

Editor-in-Chief

The Los Gatos High School Music Department took 17 students to the California Choral Directors Association (CCDA) Coastal Regional Honor Choir from Nov. 7 to Nov. 9. The event invited hundreds of the Bay Area’s most talented choral singers to Santa Clara University for a weekend of music, community, and creativity. 

Singers began their Honor Choir journey in early September by auditioning at high schools and colleges around the Bay Area. Once accepted into the Honor Choir, judges sorted students into one of three choirs: a mixed voices choir featuring Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass voices (SATB), a lower-register choir featuring Tenor and Bass voices (TTBB), and an upper-register choir featuring Soprano and Alto voices (SSAA). Each choir had its own director and a unique repertoire that directors chose specifically to match the voices of their choirs. Singers received their music in early October and memorized their songs before the event began on Nov. 7. Before singers could begin rehearsing, they had to pass a final audition alongside seven other singers to show mastery of the music. Singers rehearsed all day for two days before a final performance in front of 700 people at Mission Santa Clara de Asís, located on the grounds of Santa Clara University. 

After the concert, LGHS junior Callan Robison reflected on his first Honor Choir weekend. He said his favorite parts of the event were the “times when I was spending a lot of time with friends on a beautiful campus.” Robison sang in the TTBB choir as a bass and said his favorite song was Loch Lomond, a Scottish folk song from the 18th century. For LGHS senior Shaurya Banjara, the best part of the weekend was the performance in the Mission. Banjara performed with the SATB choir, stating it was “the best one because it combines high and low voices.” Banjara also noted his favorite song was Wheels of a Dream, saying, “That one’s the best. There’s a reason why it’s the grand finale, and it’s amazing.” 

Over the weekend, singers spent 30 hours over three days rigorously studying, learning, and rehearsing their songs, with each choir performing six pieces covering a wide range of genres and musical styles, from gospel-style pieces to folk songs to classical choral pieces in Latin. Performances also included vocal and instrumental soloists. During the weekend, singers had the option to be considered for the all-state honor Choir in January 2025, a much more difficult honor choir in which to be accepted. 

The LGHS choir department’s next concert will be on Dec. 3. at the McAfee Center at Saratoga High School. Come support the LGHS choirs as they close out the year with a festive performance. The show is open to the public.