For the first time, the SJHHS choir department hosted a festival at SJHHS. Festivals are an event where multiple school choirs come together to perform in front of one another and get adjudicated by an expert, typically a professional or collegiate choral conductor.

Feedback is given on how the choirs can improve their songs and the overall quality of sound. The judge then gives the choirs a ranking based on their performances.

“This is the first time this festival has ever been held,” said Mr. Ushino, the choir director at SJHHS. “So we are the first host ever.”

The event took place Friday, October 5, from 10am-12pm, with all 6 CUSD high schools participating. “We wanted to make [a change],” said Mr. Ushino. “It’s going to be a lot of fun!”

Our school has multiple choirs, but Chamber and Advanced Women’s choir attended the event. Both groups are audition-only, with Chamber performing college and above level pieces and Women’s Choir performing college level pieces as well.  

Both attend festivals spanning the school year; chamber choir, however, does attend more high level festivals. Concert Choir and Men’s choir are two new additions this year, replacing Mixed Choir, and do not require an audition. “To join choir, just talk to me!” said Mr. Ushino. “I’d be happy to meet them and get them set up with auditions.”