McLean choir has an exciting last few months of the school year in store, incorporating several different cultures in the various pieces they will be performing in upcoming concerts.
“We’re taking songs from all over the world and from all different languages … it’s kind of representative of McLean and how we have such a wide variety of cultures,” choir director Linda Martin said.
With hopes to incorporate global music, choir will gradually become more culturally diverse through its music.
“We sing more songs in other languages such as Spanish, Latin, and Greek than we do English songs,” said junior Miranda Ma, a member of the Armonia choir. “It allows us to be more versatile and and comfortable with different types of music from all around the world and would definitely come in handy if I pursue music in the future.”
With songs from around the world, not only do singers get to explore the vocal techniques of different cultures, but they also can experiment with different musical trends inspired by instruments.
“One of our new songs is Australian based, I think. It incorporates the didgeridoo instrument, but instead of holding the boards we’re gonna be making its sounds with our mouth,” said junior Sofia Ortiz, who participates in the Armonia choir.
Choir members also hope to learn plenty of new global songs in late March, when they will be heading to Iceland on an exchange trip, where an Icelandic high school choir will host them for several events throughout the country, such as visiting the famed Blue Lagoon and going on a glacier walk.
“We’re going over there in late March, and the high school students from Iceland are visiting D.C. later in the year, where we’ll take them around to all the major attractions,” Martin said. “We’re also going to be bringing some of our Iceland songs to our May concert as well. And we’ll be adding some more songs too…. we’re doing a Japanese piece, and a Polynesian piece. It’s a really neat thing to be a part of that comes with choir.”

Learning these pieces is a big commitment. Along with having class during the school day, choir meets every Wednesday directly after school and has long group rehearsals before their concerts.
“Not everyone has free time in their schedules to devote to hobbies like choir, at an important time in their lives where they should be finding themselves out, trying extracurriculars,” Martin said. “I think the biggest thing is that we’re all so pressured that we don’t take a moment to explore the passions that make us human.”
In addition to choir, many students are involved in other extracurriculars such as swim & dive, the dance team, soccer and debate. Finding time to fit these extracurriculars into their schedules has proven to be a common challenge among choir students.
“I think the kids here at McLean kind of feel like there’s a rat race and they’re not going to have enough time to achieve everything they hope to do when really that’s not the case,” Martin said.
With the support of their choir mates, singers find a common ground and others who can share in not only their struggles but also their passions.
“We have a great community here and we have we have amazing choir students, so the best part would have to be getting to work with everyone, being supportive of each other. Also, just the opportunity to do something artistic and get their read on arts and cultures,” Martin said.
The exchange trip in addition to upcoming concerts in May suggest that the rest of 2019 looks to be eventful for McLean choir, ending with their final concert on May 16 at 7 pm.
“I hope everyone can learn to say yes to trying new things,” Martin said on her hopes for choir students in the future. “The second thing I hope is that people find a place to be doing what they enjoy doing with like minded people.”