Choir presents annual Winter Concert “This Shining Night”

By McLean Grimes 

Executive News Editor

The Costa Music Department presented its annual Winter Choir Concert entitled “This Shining Night” on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.  

There were five ensembles that performed at the concert, including Choral Union, Mira Costa Voices, Vocal Ensemble, Coterie, and Muscle. Each was either conducted by a student or Choir Director Kate Crellin and accompanied by piano accompanist Gordon Glor or a student pianist. Tickets for the concert were $12 for adults and free for students. 

“Each year, the concert has cute decorations and a wintery vibe, and it was fun to see and enjoy this holiday cheer for my last winter concert,” said senior choir Historian and Department Community Coordinator Allison Custer.

Muscle, Costa’s low voices a cappella group, started the concert by singing “O Magnum Mysterium” and “Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah.” Next, Coterie, Costa’s high voices a cappella group, performed “Blue Christmas.” Muscle and Coterie then combined as “Cotuscle” to sing “Little Drummer Boy.”  

“It was a very successful concert and I am happy with how everyone performed,” said Choir Department President Kate Christensen.

The Mira Costa Voices choir then sang “I saw Three Ships” and “Zum Gali Gali.” Following this, all of the choirs sang “A Light of Hope, A Song of Peace.” Choral Union then performed “Mixolydian Gloria,” “Seal Lullaby,” “Ding-a, Ding-a, Ding” and “Let it Snow.” At intermission. There was a raffle for items and experiences such as music lessons and a $250 gift card to Terranea Resort.

“With my raffle partner [junior] Eric Chu, I helped write a script, set up the raffle, and co-host the raffle,” said senior Rylee Tretiak. “I think the raffle was successful as it was fairly efficient and it was well received by the audience.”

Following intermission, the Vocal Ensemble sang “Veni, Veni Emmanuel,” “There Will Be Rest,” “Lulla Lulla Lullay” and “Ain’t That a Rockin’.” At the end of the concert, all of the choirs came together to sing “Winter’s Call.” They then performed “Silent Night,” signing it in American Sign Language. 

“We performed a lot of interesting and fun songs at this concert, but my favorite song was ‘Lully Lulla Lullay’ arranged by Phillip Stopford,” said Custer. “In the weeks before the concert, we dedicated a lot of time in class and at home to memorizing and tweaking our pieces, but it really seemed to pay off at the concert.”