CA High school choir selected for Whitacre musical

Students in the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School Concert
Choir are warming up their voices in the hope of performing at
Disney Hall in June, but meanwhile they’ll be using their talents
to raise money to make that possible.

Music Director Cameron Clarno was elated to tell his singers
they had been offered a spot to participate in the performance of
“Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings,” a musical written by Grammy
nominee Eric Whitacre, a composer and teacher.

If the choir can raise $8,000, students will join other choirs
to form the Distinguished Concert Singers International (DCSI) for
a three-day residency in Los Angeles.

“This concert at Disney Hall is a preview of the musical which
Eric hopes to bring to Broadway, and an amazing chance for these
wonderful singers to be a part of something bigger,” Clarno
said.

The money raised will be used for transportation, hotel costs
and food for the 20 choir members. Their first deadline is Jan. 25,
by which time they need $4,000.

“We have seen a few clips of ‘Paradise Lost,’ and we have
started preparations already working on our vocal techniques,” said
choir member Nick Kennedy.

The choir was chosen because of its vocal quality and high level
of showmanship, according to Dr. Jonathan Griffith, artistic
director and technical composer for Distinguished Concerts
International in New York City.