Choir is so much more than singing. Choir is a dedicated ensemble where each note, breath, and chord blends to create one ‘harmonious’ masterpiece. Aside from being a collective in solely a presentational sense, Choir also serves as a collaborative and transformational space where people, experienced or not, come together to contribute to create a piece of art much larger than themselves.
Although it’s no secret that senior year serves as a season of change, as May is now upon us, reality is quickly becoming very tangible. For seniors, May signifies the beginning of the end, meaning final exams, final projects, and final goodbyes.
On Thursday, May 1st, 2025, the Malden High Choral Society held their annual Spring Concert in Jenkins auditorium, marking the final public performance for senior singers.
The concert began with Mixed Chorus, the introductory course within choral arts, intending to prepare underclassmen for Concert Choir. However, this doesn’t equate to a reduced performance, as the Mixed Chorus energetically and beautifully performed an array of songs, ranging from Lean on Me by Bill Withers to contemporary, fan-favorites like One Short Day from Wicked.
Choir director Todd Cole emphasized the growth he witnessed stating, “Musically, there has been tremendous growth in not only the level that they sing at, but also their knowledge of vocal production, which is demonstrated by the speed at which they learn at and the level they sing at.”
Then, the Madrigal Singers, a group of nine senior female singers, joined the stage to perform intricate, high-level pieces such as Lineage by Margaret Walker and Turot Eszik A Cigany by Zoltan Kodály. They concluded with Crowded Table by Brandi Carlisle, a song themed around support, unity, and optimism about the future.
Senior Alto Leader Remi Santos highlighted Crowded Table to be particularly meaningful. “We’d been working on this song since the beginning of the year and had sung it for many audiences, but I never felt I had a personal connection to it until I sang it for the last time on stage, and I felt myself getting emotional at the lyrics and meaning behind them.”
“Let us take on the world while we’re young and able / And bring us back together when the day is done.”
Crowded table
Finally, it was time for the Concert Choir, the largest, most central group in MHS choral arts. The group sang a myriad of songs, including Filipino folk song Paru Parong Bukid and Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel.
“If you need a friend / I’m sailing right behind / Like a bridge over troubled water / I will ease your mind.”
Bridge over Troubled Water
Over the course of four years, or even just one, nearly every choir singer agrees that choir has changed the trajectory of their life.
For Junior Tenor Matt Jason Chan, choir has helped him overcome personal fears and grow personal self-esteem. “I still get nervous and scared talking to people, but it definitely helped push me out of my comfort zone cause it’s a place where you can make mistakes in a room full of people and overcome it.”
“Choir has taught me to believe in myself, and that others believe in me as well,” said Senior Tenor Maxwell Torres.
Senior Soprano Section Leader Kimberlee Smith voiced how Choir transformed her from a singer to a performer. “When I walked into voice class my freshman year, I was very intimidated and I felt so small…Now, I’m proud to say I’m able to perform in front of audiences.”
Aside from being an outlet for expressing one’s passions, for many, Choir serves as a safe space to be themselves and make meaningful connections with like-minded people.
“This group of seniors has bonded like few other groups. I see extremely close relationships between singers,” observed Cole. “I hope [the audience] saw the great support and compassion we all have for one another and our commitment to lift each other up while demanding the best from each other.”
Senior Choir Manager Marie Cheng reinstated the sense of calm that Choir has offered her. “Joining the choir my freshman year, I didn’t think anything of it, but I built connections with Mr. Cole and so many other people, and I knew it was a place I could go whenever I was overwhelmed.”
“Concert choir has played a huge part in my high school experience because not only did I find a new interest in singing and music, but I have met so many friends along the way that I consider my family,” reflected Wong.
The driving force of Choir is the genuine love for the craft.“Having the ability to showcase my passion on stage or in front of others makes me fall in love with music all over again,” said Smith, who is going on to Berklee College of Music with a major in Vocal Performance.
Regardless of plans for graduating seniors, one thing is certain, music isn’t going anywhere. Whether they’re pursuing a bachelors at a music school in performance, or simply have gained a passion for singing, it is abundantly clear that every singer has gained something immensely valuable from Malden High choral arts.
