By Jessica Barzilay
Two upper school choirs gave inaugural performances on Nov. 8 at the College of the Canyons Festival.
Although the festival was not explicitly a competition, it gave Bel Canto and Chamber Singers the opportunity to receive feedback on their overall presentation.
“It was the first time we got to perform together as a choir,” Chamber Singers soprano Amy Weissenbach â12 said. “It was fun to hear what we sound like.”
Bel Canto entered an all-womenâs round in the morning, while Chamber Singers took part in the mixed choir proceedings during the afternoon. Chamber Singers performed four selections, including a few Christmas songs in anticipation of the caroling season.
“It was awesome to do the songs we had been rehearsing,” Chamber Singers bass Michael Wagmeister â13 said.
After each song, a panel of judges offered critiques and compliments to the choirs.
Chamber Singers tenor Charlie Troy â12 said that the Harvard-Westlake singers benefitted from listening to the music of other high school groups in addition to hearing the judges comments.
“It was interesting to hear other choirs, especially since it was our first event of the year,” Troy said.
“We lost a lot of seniors last year, so in a lot of ways it feels like a brand new choir,” Weissenbach said.
