3 minute read
3 choirs, 1 distinct sound
Young and old vocalists perform ‘Love and All That Jazz’
Kat Mabry / Roundup
Songs emulating feelings of love filled the Performing Arts Center on Thursday night during a “Love and All That Jazz” concert presented by the Pierce College Choir, Encore Singers and Women’s Ensemble.
The concert was the first and last performed by the vocal groups for the spring semester.
The show began with director Cathryn Tortell introducing the three musical groups, kicking the night off with the words, “We are jazzed that you are here.”
All 350 seats taken up by students, children, parents and family members close to those taking stage.
Tortell sported a black t-shirt given to her in past semesters that read, “look like the music,” which she shared with only those on stage, leaving the audience in wonder as to why the choir burst in to laughter before the show began.
“It is our responsibility to communicate that text [song lyrics] to the audience,” said Tortell.
Like the audience, the stage was filled to capacity with the three various instrumental groups composed of singers of all ages.
The Encore Singers are a newer group, according to Tortell.
The group is made up of older, enthusiastic singers who simply have more experience in music, life and love.
“I just know they’re over 30 [years-old],” said Tortell. “I have learned so much from them about life, about love, having a good time and about enjoying the moment.“
The Encore group has been together for three semesters and is a part of the larger Pierce College Encore group associated with the campus, a program designed specifically for older adults in our community.
“My life has become richer because of them,” said Tortell.
The concert included 15 pieces, featuring five that were performed by soloists. The soloists chose their songs according to the evening’s theme: love.
One soloist, 20-year-old Sandra Saad, sang “Why don’t you do right?” a song that is known for also being sung by Jessica Rabbit in ‘Who Framed Rodger Rabbit?”
Saad has been singing her whole life. She joined the Pierce College Choir this semester, but she will most likely not be continuing in the fall.
“The live performance is totally worth it,” said Saad, a sophomore theatre major.
Throughout the performance, several students were acknowledged for their transfer, graduation and departure from Pierce College following this semester.
In total, eight students are graduating from the music department, according to Tortell, with four from her group alone. Students will be heading on to UC Berkeley, Cal Arts, San Jose State and CSUN.
“I’m going to miss the whole campus,” said Dutstin Rabi, a 20-year-old music major who is transferring to UC Berkeley in the fall. “I hope Berkeley can match the standards [set by Pierce].”
More than half of the Pierce College Choir have had no experience in a choral group on stage prior to Thursday night.
“I am so proud; I thought the concert went really well,” said Tortell. “Was it perfect? Of course not, but that’s what we strive for.”
Several of the choir members don’t read sheet music.
The teamwork involved in being a part of a choir is totally different than being on a sports team, according to Tortell. She can’t just bench one “player” for another if they aren’t cutting it.
