The AUSD Choral Showcase keeps audience engaged and singing
The AHS Show Choir left their audience wowed in the finale of their “Godspell” medley.
Atascadero Unified School District choir students of all ages dazzled their audience at the annual Choral Showcase on the evening on Thursday night, Apr. 20. The event took place at the Atascadero Middle School’s Baro gym and was directed by several AUSD choir teachers including Laurie Peterson, Beth Klemm, and Emy Bruzzo. Both parents and general attendees enjoyed proudly watching their students perform their talent-filled acts.
The event showcased choirs from several schools throughout the district. The first act of the night featured the song “The Drinking Gourd”, sung by choirs from Fine Arts Academy, (FAA) Atascadero Middle School (AMS), and Atascadero High School Choirs. Following that act, the FAA Monarch Choir sang the songs “Grow Little Tree” and “Klee Wyck”. During “Klee Wyck”, in addition to singing, a few students also played percussion instruments including drums and even a triangle.
Soon afterwards, the AHS Mixed Choir performed nostalgic hits from the past with their “Awesome 80’s” medley. The whole ensemble had their audience singing along to the recognizable beats. The act was also the first of the night to feature full choreography.
The AMS concert choir also performed a song that was both well known and well sung, “What a Wonderful World”. Audience members could be heard softly singing along to themselves. Following that classic, the AMS students also sang “Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burned.”
In what was arguably the most impressive act of the night, the AHS Advanced Women’s Choir sang a medley of Aretha Franklin hits. The impressiveness of the act stemmed from the quality of the talent but from the quantity. That is, the of quantity, being that many members of the group were unable to perform due to illness, leaving only seven to keep the act moving. Despite this apparent setback, the girls still sang impeccably, with difficult choreography to boot.
Of course, the AHS Show Choir also made an appearance, performing for the final time, their medley from the musical “Godspell.” The group had already taken this act to competition in Southern California earlier this year, receiving praise for it’s production. It was a real treat for the audience attending the showcase to be the last to see it in action.
While the FAA Honor Choir did well performing the songs “Oye” and “Cold Wind Blows on the Valley,” their haunting rendition of the French song “Je le vous, dirail (I’ll Say it Anyway)” kept their act thoroughly memorable. Following that act, the elementary choirs from San Benito, Monterey Road, Santa Rosa, San Gabriel, and Santa Margarita sang a fun medley from the musical “Oliver!” Finally, every choir group at the event came together to collectively sing “A Song that Nature Sings.”
“It’s a great combination of all of the singers in our community,” said AHS senior April Rutherford, commenting on the success of the show as well as the students’ abilities. “All of the groups were fantastic,” added AHS junior Christina Rogers.
Overall, every member from every group from every school put their all into their performances, giving pride to their friends and family. The show was a delight to watch and an even greater delight to sing along with.
The combined choirs act was the act that brought all members of AUSD choir together to sing in harmony.
