Last year, COVID-19 forced a lot of schools to teach through online learning, which was especially difficult with subjects like music. Fortunately, this year we have had a change of pace. On Oct. 14 at 7 pm, the Arcadia High School (AHS) Concert Choir and Chanteurs performed at the Arcadia Performing Arts Center. 

“I am excited to finally present songs that we have been working on for the past two months, and I hope everyone enjoys our performance,” said Naveen Imran, a freshman member of the Arcadia Choir.

In the past year, being quarantined proved to be trouble among the choir members because the choir members had to practice together virtually, which made it very difficult to perform in unison due to the many problems that can occur virtually. However, due to the return to school, practices and performances can be held in-person, like the Homecoming Game performance with their Chanteurs and the 9/11 memorial. 

Being in person also makes it easier for people with little to no music experience since online they had to work twice as hard compared to people that were more musically inclined.

“Everybody did great and it came together really well,” said Annika Chan, a freshman member of the Arcadia Choir.

On Oct. 13 during lunch, the AHS Concert Choir and Chanteurs were supposed to perform the song High Hopes by Panic! At the Disco as a preview of the show to showcase a little bit of what they’ve been preparing for their performances the next day. Unfortunately, the preview was canceled due to one of the teachers feeling ill.

To prepare the Arcadia Concert Choir and Chanteurs for their concert on Oct. 14, their teacher Ms. Connie Tu made sure that they all worked hard and put their full effort into it.

Over the last few weeks, the Arcadia Concert Choir was working on the songs Canta Una Canción, She Sings…, and Younger Generation, the Arcadia Chanteurs were working on Gloria Fanfare, When October Goes (with Autumn Leaves), and Hotaru Koi. The Concert Choir also sang Sail On! with the Chanteurs. As a special performance, the First Avenue Middle School Choir and both of the AHS Choirs combined to perform the songs Simple Gifts and High Hopes.

“For sophomores and freshmen, they had to make their videos over Zoom, filming and editing their voices together,” said Ms. Tu. “For more than half of the students, not just freshmen, it’s their first year doing this, so it would be a memorable experience for them.”

For those who wanted to support the Arcadia Concert Choir and Chanteurs’ performance, tickets were purchased from any choir member or at the door. However, it should be noted that all attendees had to provide proof of vaccination at the door or a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of the concert. This was a necessary precaution for the safety of the students and the attendants.

After such a long time of being inside, unable to enjoy the usual performances that occur within the school year, the Arcadia Concert Choir and Chanteurs’ performance was highly anticipated and was definitely a memorable experience for not just the performers but the attendees as well.