Helen Ramirez / Roundup
The Winter Solstice concert will be lighting up the Performing Arts Mainstage with holiday spirit through Christmas carols and Hanukah songs at 7 p.m. Thursday.
The Pierce College choir rehearsed by singing songs such as Deck the Halls, Maiden and her Child and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Cathryn Tortell, director of the concert and choir instructor, went over the mistakes of the choir and noticed that about four people were out sick, including a soloist.
Nevertheless, the empty spaces on the stage were filled with Stephen Piazza’s music appreciation students.
Piazza offers extra credit to the students who join the Pierce College choir for the winter concert. About 15 students attended the Nov. 30 rehearsal, but Piazza expects about 25 students for today’s rehearsal. The students looking for extra credit attend the two rehearsals before the concert Thursday and perform with the choir for the concert.
“I found that giving people assignments and having them write reports is not as rewarding as this,” Piazza said. “I think it gives them a tremendous understanding of what it feels like to perform.”
Piazza feels that through performing, students are able to practice what they learn in music appreciation class.
“I didn’t want to throw them into the deep end, but at least throw them into the pool,” Piazza said.
Padideh Lavaaldin, 19, is one of the students joining the choir to receive extra credit. Lavaaldin is a psychobiology major who plays the piano and santour, a traditional Persian instrument.
Even with her ability to read music, Lavaaldin said, “I was lost. I didn’t know which line to follow.”
Bethany Bookin, 23, has been on the Pierce College Choir and Women Ensemble for less than a year.
“Choir in general has been amazing. I love performing. I love singing and it gives me a chance to sing in unison with a group,” Bookin said. “I love that feeling of singing as one.”
“Music 501 is like my extended family,” she added.
This year the Pierce College Choir has seen a large enrollment increase, according to Tortell. She said that this year, non-music majors have started to join the choir.
Tortell hopes to reach out to more students of all majors and bring them together through music.
Tortell said the choir teaches students “teamship.”
“We’re not any different than the football team,” she said.
General admission for the Winter Solstice concert is $7. Student and senior tickets cost $5 and for children under 12, admission is free.
