For the third year in a row, the Bellezza ensemble group plans to travel to Westmont College to participate in the Westmont Invitational Choral Festival, Oct. 27. The pressure builds as they prepare to be critiqued by one of Westmont’s music professors and perform alongside boarding schools such as The Cate School and The Thacher School.

Cheerleader and first-year ensemble member Brynlee Schmidt, ‘21, shares her feelings about the upcoming festival and why she joined Bellezza.

“It’s a lot of pressure to be the only freshman on the team this year,” Schmidt said. “But it’s new to me and I’m excited for all the opportunities I’ll get to be a part of. I joined ensemble this year because I like to sing and all my friends were telling me to try it out. It’s exciting to be traveling to Westmont in the fall.

“I’m nervous because we don’t know our new songs yet,” Schmidt continued, “but I’ve never been to Westmont before so it will be cool to perform. My favorite song that we’ll be singing is a new one called “Sigue”. I’m looking forward to hearing what the judicators have to say about that song and see how it goes.”  

During the day, each choir participant will receive a “clinic” put on by one of Westmont’s music professors. The “clinics” give each ensemble a chance to be assessed before all the groups gather together for a concert.

Ensemble director Susan Ainley shares her excitement for the upcoming festival, and what she enjoys about the music-filled experience.

“I am excited to travel to Westmont for the festival,” Ainley said. “It is a beautiful day, and we get to hear choirs from all over California that we wouldn’t otherwise get to hear from. One of my favorite pieces that Bellezza will be singing is the Cuban piece “Sigue”. I look forward to hearing what the Westmont professors have to say about Bellezza because they have a very fine music school. I feel confident that if they say we are doing a good job, we are truly doing well.”

After the evaluation of each choir, they all assemble for a concert in the grand First Presbyterian Church in Santa Barbara, California. Each choir plans to present the best song from their repertoire set for the rest of the high schools to enjoy.

After each high school performs their individual song, the groups will convene to sing JS Bach’s “Nun Danket Alle Gott” (Now Thank we all our God) as a mass choir.

With a new group of girls this year, Ainley gives her opinion of how she thinks the group is progressing.

“I am very happy with the girls in the ensemble this year,” Ainley said. “Every year it’s new because we lose seniors and gain new people, but this group is very cohesive. They get along well and the older girls are really helping the younger girls learn how to sing in the ensemble. It’s been harder this year since we are used to a few more people. Some are having to sing a different part than they are used to, but this group is blending very well together which is hard to do. I’m very proud of them.”

The fall festival is not only a chance to sing with schools from all over California, it is also an opportunity to audition for the Westmont music program. A few students in the Bellezza ensemble have expressed interest in this possibility.

Volleyball player and second-year ensemble member, McKensy Neil, ‘18, expresses her love for singing with the Bellezza team and her anticipation for the fall concert.

“I am interested in auditioning for Westmont’s music program,” Neil said. “I would love to continue choir for the next few years and possibly sing in a group in college. I’ve been in the Bellezza ensemble for the past two years and have been to the festival with them one time before. My favorite part was hearing everybody’s different type of song and how they sing it.”

The choral festival begins at 1:30 p.m., Oct. 27, and the Bellezza ensemble will perform their first song at the United Methodist Church in Santa Barbara, CA.

For more articles, read President Vicente Fox of Mexico presents at SJV town hall. For more articles on Bellezza ensemble, read FC choir, Bellezza begins preparations for spring NY trip.

Addison Schultz can be reached via email and via twitter @SchultzAddison.