Students prepare for annual musical event

The third annual Valentine’s Day concert will be held in the Student Ministries Center (SMC) at 7 p.m., Feb. 11. Both high school choral groups Cantiamo and Bellezza will sing a variety of love, breakup and friendship songs celebrating the importance of romance and love.

Soloists, duets and groups are performing alongside a band filled with string bass, piano and other instruments to back up. Tables shine and glimmer with decorations for guests to sit at and a light dessert will be served. There is no charge for admission, but donations for the choir program are greatly appreciated.

Director Susan Ainley explains some of the main highlights for this year’s program.

“This year, songs from movies, Broadway, classic rock and jazz will be performed,” Ainley said. “The audience will enjoy rock ballads such as ‘Open Arms’ by Journey, jazz standards ‘Fever’ and ‘Unforgettable’, country classics like ‘Crazy’ and top 40 hits such as ‘Perfect‘. The Valentine’s concert is a great time to enjoy the individual efforts of the singers and give them a chance to shine.”

The ensemble and choir previously performed at the Lindsay Weimer benefit concert. The concert supported ensemble member and student Lindsay Weimer, ’20. 

Community members gather @pcfresno to support Lindsay Weimer, ‘20, as she fights cancer, Feb. 3. The concert ‘For The Love of Lindsay’ included musical performances and a love offering to offset medical costs. @chosenyogurt also serves frozen treats. @fresnochristian #thefeather pic.twitter.com/Qkn7kUAfCw

— The Feather Online (@thefeather) February 4, 2018

The Valentine’s Day concert began in 2016 with just the ensemble as the group prepared for their first Carnegie Hall trip. As the concert gained popularity, both choir and ensemble began to sing solos, duets and group numbers. Some of last year’s highlights include “Somebody to Love” by Queen, “Respect” by Aretha Franklin and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz.

This is definitely my favorite choir concert because it allows people to truly express themselves in a song of their choice. It gives them a chance to sing a song they feel passionate about themselves. — Tyler Villines

Freshman Brynlee Schmidt shares her excitement and fear for the concert.

“It feels good to be apart of the concert as a freshman.” Schmidt said. “I’m super excited to sing in it this year. I also feel nervous since this is my first time doing the concert. I’m looking forward to being able to sing with everyone and dress up and I’m excited to hear Macie Thompson sing ‘Never Enough’ from The Greatest Showman.”  

Family and friends alike are welcome to join in the festivities and enjoy evening production. Any donations received help fund choir’s New York trip to Carnegie Hall.

Senior Tyler Villines is eager to participate in the concert for the second time. Villines expects this year’s concert to blow out the previous concerts. 

“I am so excited for the Valentine’s concert,” Villines said. “I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s own personal rendition of each song, while also learning new songs along the way. I am doing two songs, I am one of the Jackson 5 in the song ‘ABC’ and I am also performing the song ‘Perfect’ by Ed Sheeran. I specifically am excited to sing “Perfect” because it’s my first time performing a song that has such a deep and innocent vision of love.

“It is so pure and beautiful that is why I think it’s the perfect love song,” Villines continued. “Last year I sang two songs that were relatively upbeat and happy whereas Perfect is so much more. I get to show a side ofme that most people have never seen, a side that is a little more serious and genuine. I am also very excited to hear the amazing women ensemble group, Bellezza, do their rendition of ‘When you Wish Upon a Star’ because I absolutely love that song. I know that it is going to be an amazing night full of beautiful music, love and community.”

The next festival the choir and ensemble is attending is the Cal Poly festival, March 22. Groups beginning with the elementary choir all the way to high school spend the morning at Cal Poly, listening to other groups and singing, then spend the afternoon exploring San Luis Obispo.

The video from the Somebody to Love concert in 2016 can be viewed here. For another choir article, read Campus Choirs Participate in Candlelit Service.

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