On October 24th, 2019 the Selma High School choir visited Fresno State to take place in their first festival of this year. All of the three Selma High choirs participated in this event, where each class performed about two songs. Festivals like these offer valuable information from the judges and clinicians who score their performances. Joining the choirs in their section was the advanced ensembles of the Hanford High. Many high schools visited this event from all around the Valley to gain insight from experienced professionals on what needed to be worked on in their technique.

 “One way our group can improve, and this includes me, is confidence,” explained senior Genesis Salazar. “We need to feel confident in ourselves and as a group in our abilities.” 

Salazar is a part of the chamber choir on campus. The choir felt as though they didn’t meet their personal best, but narrowed it down to nerves of being in front of the judges. Despite their setbacks, many members felt satisfied with themselves.

“I think we sounded very well, considering it being our first performance of the year,” expressed sophomore Manuel Estrada, who is a part of the mixed choir. “We spent a lot of time working on it and I’m grateful for the feedback from the judges.”

Events like these are very valuable to the students and teachers alike. They absorb comments given and apply them for the next festival to come. Mr. Bailey also spoke about what he was looking forward to in this coming year.

“I’m excited to get to know the students more, and the more we get to know each other, the better the music gets because the process becomes more collaborative,” explained Mr. Bailey. 

This festival has laid a good foundation for the rest of this year, and the choir students are looking forward to a successful season.