BY DANIEL WOOD
Staff Reporter
On Oct. 20 the Sacred Heart Choir put on their “Heroes and Legends” concert for family weekend. It was the choir’s first performance of the year.
The concert featured six of the choirs that Sacred Heart has: Liturgical, Blended, 4 Heart Harmony, SHUperman, Gospel, and Concert Choir.
“Each choir is different and brings something new to the table,” said the president of SHU Choirs, senior Ashlyn Ibarra.
The concert had a variety of songs from both past and present artists that catered to the audience members that came during family weekend.
“Throughout this concert, we performed songs by The Beatles, Pharrell Williams, Lorde, and so many other artists,” said Ibarra.
While there is a wide variety of music, there was a common theme behind the Heroes and Legends concert.
“The message of this concert is about rising to the challenge and overcoming any battles that may come our way and becoming a hero in our own lives,” said Ibarra.
One of the six choirs that performed was the Liturgical choir, which often performs at Sunday mass. This choir practices every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Sophomore Damien Innella, a member of the Liturgical choir, said, “I don’t know my favorite part – there’s too much to choose a single thing.”
Innella performed in the songs “Be the Hero” and “Song of the Mira” with the Liturgical choir.
“I enjoy helping my section learn their parts,” said Innella.
The Gospel choir is one of the three that Ibarra is a part of. The Gospel choir rehearses on Tuesdays for two hours.
“We have some really fun pieces that I am sure the audience will absolutely love. The energy and the passion that goes into the music is electric,” said Ibarra.
Ibarra is also a part of the Liturgical choir, as well as Blended Hearts, an all-female a cappella group. Blended Hearts rehearses on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
For many members, being a member of the choir has been a rewarding experience.
“Choir is where I found my place on this campus. I hope through our music we are able to express to the audience our love and passion for not only the music but also the program,” said Ibarra.
The concert also featured the all-men’s a cappella group called the “SHUpermen,” which includes about 13 men who rehearse on Mondays and Wednesdays. The group will put on a benefit concert for Nourish Bridgeport in November.
“It is an honor to sing the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely-Hearts Club Band album by the Beatles because of the cultural impact it had on music,” said senior and member of SHUperman and 4 Heart Harmony Kevin Gillotti.
With around 25 members, 4 Heart Harmony performs anything from show tunes to pop music and will be holding a concert against bullying on Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the University Commons.
“One of the songs 4 Heart is singing is ‘Hold on’ from Secret Garden, which emphasizes the concept of overcoming battles we struggle with in our daily lives,” said Gillotti. “I enjoy this piece because it helps me realize that everything is going to be okay in the end.”
The concert choir is a group of a little over 80 women who rehearse Monday and Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. They perform many different types of choral music.
While the choir groups host many of their events held on campus, they also travel as a group to perform.
“I was fortunate enough to attend one of the many trips offered by the choral program. I was able to perform at Disney World and Universal studios. That alone is cool enough. I went on this trip not knowing one person and returned with a huge group,” said Ibarra.
Besides concerts and travelling, students have done choir and left with more than those memories. “Choir has taught me how to be a leader, how to lean on someone, the importance of listening and where to find joy,” said Ibarra.
For more information on chorus you can visit their page at http://www.edgertoncenter.org/choral_program.php with a list of all upcoming concerts and ticket sales.