Choir Camp 2024!

California High School boasts an exceptionally talented choir, which recently showcased their skills on Freshman First Day and at the Welcome Back Assembly. These performances were the culmination of a summer of preparation at Choir Camp.

The camp, a staple for the CHS Chamber Choir and Vocal Ensemble, provides students with a unique opportunity for team-building and musical preparation. Choir Director Mr. Hawkins, who has led the program for 24 years, explained, “The camp allows our advanced students to collaborate closely while preparing for the new school year. For non-choir students, it offers a chance to explore group singing, improve vocal techniques, and build confidence.”

The choir program at CHS includes three groups: Chamber Choir, Vocal Ensemble, and Chorus. Chamber and Vocal are the advanced ensembles. Mary Villatoro, a first-year Chamber Choir member, shared, “Choir Camp was amazing! It was filled with fun activities, great people, and straightforward lessons that helped us learn quickly.” Allison Orellana, this year’s Choir President, added, “The camp offers a fantastic introduction to choral music. It’s always educational and supportive.”

Ronald Lester, a new transfer from La Serna, joined Choir Camp as a non-member and emerged as a new Chamber Choir member. He remarked, “The environment was so warm and welcoming that I instantly fell in love with the choir experience.” Orellana detailed the camp’s structure: “There were two sessions. Non-choir members attended the morning session, focusing on new music and basic music theory. Choir members participated in both morning and afternoon sessions, where they learned additional music for the Friday concert.”

Hawkins noted, “For our CHS Choir students, the camp fosters lasting bonds and prepares us for early school-year performances. For newcomers, it offers a chance to explore choral music, which might ignite a new passion.”

Ninth-grader Samantha Ramirez, a seasoned Choir Camp participant, described her experience: “Initially, I joined because of my sister Mars, but I ended up registering on my own. The camp was incredibly fun. As a shy person, it helped me meet new people. The activities were enjoyable and sometimes challenging, but that’s what made them so rewarding.”

All attendees, including Mr. Hawkins, reflected positively on the camp experience. Hawkins concluded, “I love seeing students work together on team-building challenges, blend their voices to create beautiful music, and perform in our mini-concert at the end of the week. It’s amazing to see what can be achieved in just one week.”

Micaela Cuellar, a member of the Class of 2024, volunteered at the camp to stay connected with her inspiring teacher. She observed, “It was wonderful to see everyone bonding over a shared interest in music and enjoying their time.”

The enthusiasm and camaraderie fostered at Choir Camp set a positive tone for the school year, showcasing the vibrant spirit of California High School’s music program.