Colton, CA—On May 2, at Colton High’s Whitmer Auditorium, Choir, Band and Theater held a Spring concert as their final for the year.
It almost didn’t happen. Hours before the concert, choir director, Dr. Jessica Cannaday had to leave campus for health reasons, leaving the show’s status in uncertainty.
Band director Aron Campbell, who also teaches choir in addition to his duties with marching and concert band, stepped up to the plate because, as they say in the entertainment industry, “the show must go on.”
“Mr. Campbell stepped in, and really saved the day,” said Dr. Cannaday. “He kindly directed my choir at the last minute while I was unable to and I’m very grateful.”
For Campbell, the honor was all his. “It was an awesomely educational experience to have had the honor to step in and fill Dr. Cannaday’s shoes,” he said. “Her Choir was well rehearsed and did a great job leading me as I quickly adjusted to reading unfamiliar music scores in preparation to lead them. Overall, as a team, the students, in all theater, instrumental, and choir ensembles, did an awesome job through all of the adverse circumstances during that day. I am proud of everyone.”
As Campbell indicated, the show was a successful showcase of Colton High’s variety of performing arts.
Sarah Hantuli’s acting class started off the evening performing a skit involving four guards giving small one-liners or commentary about King Henry the 8th and his wives.
The audience was entertained, even if a bit confused. “I thought it was a little awkward but the story was funny,” said junior Ivan Sandoval.
After the skit, choir walked onto the risers under the direction of Aron Campbell, standing in for Dr. Cannaday.
The choir performed five songs: “Rose Red,” “A Whole New World,” “The Blessing,” “Soldier Poet King,” and finally “Syahamba.”
The audience was impressed. Junior Damien Luna said, “I loved how the voices all came together. It sounded beautiful.”
Once the choir portions finished, it was the band’s turn to shine with the two songs they played that night: “Among the Clouds” and “Across the Desert Sands.”
Sophomore Ezekiel Izarraras enjoyed the “I think the performance was nice, it looked like everyone had fun, which was the main purpose in my opinion.”
From what was seen and heard, most students had fun doing their roles in the concert from choir to band.
Dr. Cannaday chose the songs choir performed with one purpose in mind. “I wanted them to be fun for you all as students to perform.”
Furthermore, the spring concert was intended to showcase what band, choir and theater can do to engage students. “We can really show what Colton is doing in the Arts as a whole, and maybe get students to join in,” said Dr. Cannaday.
