The annual Camerata Choir and Orchestra joint performance on Nov. 18 drew an auditorium full of fans eager to see the individual and collaborative performances of vocal and instrumental music.
“These are two very different musical groups that came together and collaborated, and this performance was a unique opportunity that allowed them to combine their music and talent,” said performing arts teacher Michael Driscoll, the Camerata Choir director.
Junior Clara Montag, a Camerata Choir member, said that the collaboration between Camerata Choir and Orchestra went very well and that their rehearsals were enjoyable.
“The end result was amazing,” said Montag. “I really liked playing with instruments because the instrumental music really supported the voices and the two went well together.”
Junior Heeamin Lee, an Orchestra member, thought that working with Camerata Choir made the final product more interesting.
“I feel like adding singing to Orchestra creates more harmony, and it can enhance the meaning of music and add more emotion to the piece,” said Lee.
Camerata Choir and Orchestra collaborated on the opening and closing songs, while the songs in between were individual performances by each group that incorporated genres like country and jazz with classical music.
A cover of the song “Blackbird” by The Beatles opened the show, and the Marian hymn “Regina Coeli” closed it. The audience responded to both with unusually long rounds of applause.
Sophomore Tess Jewell, an audience member, said that the variety of musical genres added to the quality of the show.
“The show was very well put-together,” said Jewell. “The collaboration stuck out to me because it exceeded my expectations by a lot.”
Sophomore Corinne Chin, an audience member, said that it was unique to hear vocal and string instruments together.
“I originally came to the show because a few of my friends were in Camerata and Orchestra,” said Chin, “but I ended up staying and really enjoying the performance because of the music.”
Shanshan Guo can be contacted at [email protected].
