The Occidental College Chorus, directed by Resident Professor of Music Desiree La Vertu, meets every Tuesday to rehearse for their end of semester performance at Herrick Chapel, which will take place April 26.
According to Giselle Reyes (sophomore), despite the 7:15 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. class time, they look forward to College Chorus all week.
“[College Chorus is] so chill and friendly and light that the energy is always upbeat,” Reyes said. “If you’re having a bad day and you show up to College Chorus, you’re going to leave it feeling better because it’s just a fun, nice environment.”
According to Paloma Campi (sophomore), the late-night rehearsals are so fun that they don’t feel exhausting.
“I would just encourage [everyone] to join, because it’s super low-commitment and very fun,” Campi said.
Karen Matsuoka (junior) said La Vertu always chooses songs she finds meaningful.
“[The song choices] really encourage us to do well at the concert,” Matsuoka said. “We bonded so well because of how much the songs resonated [with everyone] differently.”
According to Matsuoka, College Chorus is a chance for students to come together weekly, despite being exhausted from classes.
“There’s such an emphasis on community in Desiree’s class, which I really appreciate,” Matsuoka said. “I think Desiree really focused on us singing songs about facing challenges in different ways […] I feel like we’re going through it [right now], but we still come together Tuesday nights.”
Colin King (first year) said La Vertu’s encouragement has helped him grow as a singer.
“I’ve always had confidence in my voice,” King said. “This is the first time that I attributed talent to my voice.”
King said anyone, regardless of experience, can be a part of College Chorus. However, according to King, you have to be ready to learn and grow.
“At a certain point, you do need a little bit of understanding of music and your own voice if you want to be able to sustain throughout the semester,” King said.
Reyes said La Vertu always makes sure the class is prepared.
“Professor La Vertu has a really specific way of conducting us,” Reyes said. “It’s really fun. She’s really great. There’s always a really light and fun atmosphere.”
Reyes said some of their favorite memories from College Chorus are their dress rehearsals in Lower Herrick.
“The acoustics in [Lower Herrick] are really so beautiful and meant to project people’s voices,” Reyes said. “It’s […] fun in of itself to be like, ‘Oh my God, that’s what I sound like in a space that’s meant for [singing].’”
Matsuoka said College Chorus’ rehearsals in Lower Herrick are special because they are so different from their regular class periods.
“When we practice in Lower Herrick, the echo is just crazy,” Matsuoka said. “It just sounds so much better. With the percussion added too, it sounds beautiful.”
According to Reyes, the majority of their class time is now spent preparing for their annual spring performance.
“The moment you arrive in class, every single song that we learn together as a group, [La Vertu] teaches us is for the concert,” Reyes said. “By the time you get [to the performance], you know exactly what you’re doing.”
According to Reyes, La Vertu’s preparation helped her push through her stage fright.
“I was really nervous walking up and getting into my place in the stands,” Reyes said. “Then the music kicked in, and we had to sing our first song. Everything that I had learned kicked in, like muscle memory. Your vocal cord is a muscle; your breathing and your lungs are [muscles]. I just knew how to do everything. I [didn’t] have to be nervous. I [was] exactly prepared how I [needed] to be.”
Campi said she has participated in College Chorus since her first semester at Occidental College.
“[The performance is] always really fun, because everybody’s friends and family members come,” Campi said. “It’s just always a good time and [it is] really fun to perform with [everyone] at the end of the semester.”
Contact Quinn Sumerlin at sumerlin@oxy.edu
