Students walking along the Mall near the Freudian Sip were greeted Monday with echoes of the Pierce College Choir.
The “flash mob” came following the choir’s performance at the Plaza del Sol Theater at California State University, Northridge.
Members dressed in black tops and blue jeans began to warm up outside of the Student Store at 12:45 p.m.
They attracted the attention of a handful of students that stopped and enjoyed a break from the stress of finals.
Some students even pulled out their cell phones and cameras to capture the moment.
Cathryn Tortell, an adjunct instructor of music, is the director for the choir.
She organized the impromptu free concert with one goal.
“A lot of people don’t even know we exist,” Tortell said. “It was all about we exist.”
The plan worked and attracted the attention of Angela Enriquez, a 19-year-old nursing student.
“I just walked by and saw them setting up,” Enriquez said.
As part of the marching band for Palmdale High School, she is used to things like this, but the concert brought back memories.
“I was excited,” Enriquez said. “I haven’t seen a concert since high school.”
The concert also transported students to a completely different place.
April Russell, a 19-year-old, kinesiology major, stood in awe as Timothy Kranz belted “Apres un Reve.”
“I feel like I’m at an opera,” Russell said.
Kranz is a 29-year-old business major who has been in other choirs before, but sees the college choir as something different.
“There are people coming in that have no experience in choir,” Kranz said. “And then there are people that have experience in choir or some sort of singing.”
However, everyone works together and helps each other, according to Kranz.
The students were not the only ones enjoying the moment.
Tortell gazed in bliss as this season’s student conductor, Sara Greenberg, 21, stood before her peers while they sang a “Les Miserables” medley.
“It’s not easy being a weekly conducting student,” Tortell said.
As a conductor, Tortell praises Greenberg for her ability to smoothly transition from one song to another and properly communicate to both singers and musicians.
” She has been most gracious, and open, and I couldn’t have ask for more,” Tortell said.
Her bracelet filled arms cut through the air gracefully and all eyes were on her.
After the concert she reflected on what it was like to stand before the choir.
“It’s just really great to work with this group,” Greenberg said. “We have people of different levels, and I get to be in front and watch them.”
Students who missed the performance are welcome to catch an encore performance during the free Thursday afternoon concert in Music 3400 at 12:45 p.m.
To learn more about the music department visit their website: http://www.piercecollege.edu/departments/music/
