The La Cañada High School Concert Choir, under the direction of Jeff Brookey, returned Sunday from a five-day tour of Seattle. The tour featured workshops with two college choir conductors as well as the WorldStrides National Festival, at which 500 students from 13 choirs went before judges to perform and receive feedback.
The LCHS Concert Choir performed four songs, including “Indodona,” which was particularly moving for the 22 seniors who realized that it would be their last formal performance.
During the final ceremony, the choir accepted an Adjudicator’s trophy for averaging higher than 95/100 points and received a Gold rating and first place in the Concert Choir division.
“By becoming vulnerable for the benefit of his students, Dr. Brookey showed that an ego has no place in the pursuit of excellence,” said Assistant Principal Kip Glazer, who accompanied the choir. “Following his example, his students were fully open to receive all corrections and trusted the goodness innate in the process. It was truly breathtaking for me to witness such an exchange of love between a teacher and his students.”
Not only did the workshops provide an opportunity to experience excellent choral instruction from conductors Geoffrey Boers at the University of Washington and Richard Nance at Pacific Lutheran University, but also the students were able to get a glimpse of college life.
“The LCHS Concert Choir tour was a success as it was a perfect combination of great students with great, selfless and positive chaperones,” Brookey said. “Choir tours provide students with educational and musical growth, ensemble unity, an opportunity to work with other conductors, and to see and do new things.”
The 80 choir members and their 11 chaperones were also able to enjoy the city of Seattle as they walked the Underground Tour, explored Chihuly Glass and Gardens, toured the Museum of Pop Culture and sang at the top of the Space Needle.
“The experience in and of itself is nothing less than a dream come true,” senior Jason Del Fierro said. “From being surrounded by friends 24/7 to exploring places you’d likely never go, the memories made [on tour] are unforgettable.”
