The seniors sang at the Cal Poly Holiday Concert for the final time this past winter. Photo courtesy of senior Ava Rhodes.
San Luis Obispo High School has many talented performers, with dozens singing their hearts out in Choir. Choir teacher Rick Robbins teaches different levels of choir both at Laguna Middle School and SLOHS, with some students having his class for six years. The highest level offered by SLOHS is the Chamber Singers, which is a small group of students hand-selected by Robbins to further develop their vocal skills.
This year there are four seniors in Chamber graduating, so Expressions decided to interview them to learn more about their journeys in choir.
Expressions: How long have you been in choir, and why did you initially join?
Senior Bailey Morgan: I’ve been in choir for six years, and I got moved up to Chamber in my sophomore year. I joined choir because I really wanted to grow my voice, and I thought that it was just a really fun extra curricular.
Senior Tamiyah Murrieta: I’ve been in choir since the eighth grade with Mr. Robbins. I got involved because I’ve always loved music and singing with a group. I was asked to join at the end of my sophomore year but my first year in the chamber was junior year.
Senior Ivy Pieros: I have been involved in Choir since technically seventh grade, but I have been in choir since eighth grade with Mr. Robbins. I got involved in it because my mom made me, and I’ve been singing my whole life, but it’s truly evolved into something I enjoy with all my heart. I got moved up to Chamber in my sophomore year.
Senior Ava Rhodes: I’ve been in choir for four years, and was moved up to Chamber my sophomore year. I joined because I thought it’d be fun to try out, and ended up loving it.
Expressions: What was your first impression of Robbins?
Morgan: He was a little intimidating, for sure, but through the years, I got to know him as a pretty genuine guy, but he definitely was scary at first.
Murrieta: My first impression of Mr. Robbins was a little intimidating because he can come across as not the nicest, but he is really funny and likeable once you get to know him more.
Pieros: My first impression of Mr. Robbins was that he was terrifying, sarcastic, a little grumpy, and that he can’t live without his coffee.
Rhodes: I remember being intimidated at first, but I realized very quickly that he’s a great director and cares a lot about what he does.
Expressions: Out of all the concerts you’ve done, which one has been your favorite?
Morgan: I really like the summer concerts because it’s the end of the year. It’s just always really hard seeing seniors leave, but it’s also really nice just to spend those last moments with them.
Murrieta: My favorite concert had to be the last concert of the year for my junior year because we had learned amazing songs and the seniors that year were truly the best people I’ve ever met. At the concert we sang “For Good” from “Wicked,” and it had everyone crying mid-song and it was really memorable.
Pieros: My favorite was the summer concert last year. Some very influential seniors were leaving us and we had worked extremely hard to get to a very advanced level of singing that year. It was overall very emotional and touching. I also loved all the music we sang, because it was very intricate and challenging.
Rhodes: I don’t think I can pick a favorite. I do always enjoy our summer ones though, even though they’re sad it’s nice to look back on the year afterwards.
Expressions: How has being in Chamber changed you as a person?
Morgan: It’s definitely allowed me to grow a lot more than I think just intro would, because you do a lot of more advanced music, and that’s been really helpful.
Murrieta: Chamber has impacted me by creating my confidence. I learned that no one truly cares what you do and it’s worth it to just be yourself inside and out of the classroom.
Pieros: It’s taught me a lot of life skills, made me a better listener, made me a much better and more experienced singer, and it’s shown me just how much music can bring people together.
Rhodes: I’ve grown so much musically, obviously, but I think the confidence I’ve gained from it is the most significant thing. Mr. Robbins has high expectations because he knows we have the potential to reach them, and so with that and how supportive the whole group is I’ve learned that I’m much more capable than I thought.
Expressions: As a senior, what advice do you have for the underclassmen both currently in Chamber and those hoping to join?
Morgan: You’re gonna get really good instruction with any class that you take from Mr. Robbins, and if you get into chamber, that’s really fantastic. But also, it really is just another class so just try to have fun for whatever level you’re at.
Murrieta: I would tell underclassmen to do solos. I think doing a solo is what showed that I had the potential to grow in Chamber, and doing solos helped me gain my confidence singing in front of people.
Pieros: All being in Chamber means is that you work hard and you have a developed love of music. Intro to Vocal Arts is extremely talented and has tons of people to become friends with, so start there, build your community, and enjoy it until you’re ready for something smaller, and a bit more challenging. Also just know that a class you take in high school shouldn’t determine your worth or talent as a singer or performer, it’s what you make of it and the opportunities that come your way.
Rhodes: For all the underclassmen in it now, I’m so proud of you guys and can’t wait to see how you continue to grow! I’d say if you’re hoping to join, always put in your best effort and remember to have fun and appreciate whatever level you’re at.
Expressions: Do you plan on participating in choir or something similar in college?
Morgan: Yeah, I think I will. I’m really lucky to have a good choir program at the college I’m going to so I think I will continue it.
Murrieta: In college I want to join a choir. Any would be cool, but I will miss the girls.
Pieros: Yes! I plan on trying out next school year for UCI’s Chamber Singers.
Rhodes: Definitely! I think being part of a choir is one of the best ways to gain a great community and I can’t imagine not continuing with how great these last four years have been.
With these girls graduating, new spaces open up for the underclassmen to fill their spaces. They will be gone, but never forgotten.
