By Jennifer Newton and Victoria Sanchez, Courier Staff Writers
The James Logan Advanced Choir girls and a Show Choir member was invited and competed on March 9, 2018 to the Women’s Golden State Competition in Lafayette, California.
There were 9 schools invited to participate in the competition: Irvington, San Ramon, Mt. Eden, James Logan, Liberty, St. Francis, Acalanes, Monte Vista, and Marin School of the Arts.
This was the first time our school was invited to an all women’s choir competition. Ms. McShane herself has participated in over 50 competitions, however this was her first time in this particular one. The choir performed Tota Pulchra Est (the required piece), My Song, and Lineage. All of these songs were chosen because they have some connection to women.
Under the leadership of Ms. McShane she guided her students as the teacher and conductor of the choir. Following with the chain of command, Sydney Ancheta the Ambassador for Women’s choir, and the two section leaders Jacky Pernia, Analyn Velasco worked to prepare the choir for the upcoming competition.
All three of the leaders were excited to be involved in this competition their senior year, since it would be a new experience.
Jacky, the soprano section leader, was a bit apprehensive when the news first broke.
“When the leaders were told that we would participate in something new without the boys, I felt scared since my section wasn’t doing well. Despite that uneasy feeling, I decided to get over that fear because I strongly believed that it would be a good bonding activity and learning experience and it was,”
Sydney went from being the secretary of Advanced Choir and added the title of Women’s Choir Ambassador this year which presented some new challenges and responsibilities.
“I was feeling kind of nervous since we were the new school, but at the same time I was pretty proud because we, a the women in the program, were making history. It felt really nerve wracking knowing that this had never been done before and I was in charge of all those girls,”
The anticipation of waiting backstage was starting to become overwhelming.
“When the announcer called James Logan to the stage there was a sign of relief and nervousness that were about to perform,” said Pollen Reyes, a Logan choir sophomore. After they finished the required piece they had to wait for the adjudicators to finish tallying up the first score. In order “to relieve our anxiety Shane-O whispered to everyone to take a deep breath, and relax; we were almost done,” said sophomore Jherse Atamerano.
After the performance the girls were proud of being invited to showcase what they have been working so hard on.
“Knowing that we went into the competition blind and placing 7th makes me feel extremely proud of our choir and honored to be in such an amazing program,” said Jacky.