GILROY
– The first bell of the regular school day at Gilroy High has
yet to ring, but the choir room is dripping with music. As 8 a.m.
approaches, harmonies and chords are replaced by excited
chatter.
GILROY – The first bell of the regular school day at Gilroy High has yet to ring, but the choir room is dripping with music. As 8 a.m. approaches, harmonies and chords are replaced by excited chatter.
It’s no wonder the Chamber Singers are abuzz. In about two weeks, they will board a plane to Berlin for a 10-day music blitz through Germany and the Czech Republic.
The celebrated singing group, led by longtime GHS Choir Director Phil Robb, has traveled abroad once every three years since the mid-80s, each time visiting Gilroy’s sister city of Takko-Machi, Japan.
“We had done a great job in our trips to Japan, and I think it’s time to venture out,” Robb said. “There are many places in the world, and Japan has been incredible and has been a wonderful experience, and we’ll get another chance to go back. But I wanted to have the opportunity to share music elsewhere in the world.”
Specifically, the group of 29 students, “one lonely director,” and 12 parent chaperones will bring an eclectic selection of both sacred and secular music to churches, a monastery and even a concentration camp.
That is, if they can raise the last $10,000 needed to pay for the trip. The sophomores, juniors and seniors started raising money at last summer’s Garlic Festival.
“We’ve raised at least 70 percent of the money, but they still have a ways to go, so anything that people can help out would be greatly appreciated,” Robb said.
The trip costs about $2,500 per student – the parents are paying their own way.
Senior Nichole Groppe, who is in her second year as a Chamber Singer, said she has raised about $2,300.
Besides volunteering at the Garlic Festival, Groppe and her fellow singers sold See’s Candy and performed for 63 donors last Christmas. Groppe said she is more than ready to share her vocal talents internationally.
“I’m excited because, normally, we’re used to just singing in our theater and our gym, and we’re going to get to sing in authentic cathedrals and monasteries and where Bach actually played,” Groppe said.
The choir’s performance will feature 18 songs from the Renaissance to the 20th Century, spirituals and folk music but will not include German choral pieces.
“They hear German music all the time,” Robb said. “They want to hear something from our country.”
Groppe’s favorite piece to perform is “Sleep,” by contemporary composer Eric Whitacre. The dissonant lullaby also is favored by Junior Jeremy Borgia.
“It’s kind of a creepy lullaby,” the baritone singer said.
Borgia, a life-long singer who is in his second year with the Chamber Singers, said he can’t wait for the trip.
“I feel like we know the songs, and we’ve learned a lot about Germany and the people over there,” he said.
“The reason I’ve maintained that this is such a great opportunity for them and why traveling to these places is so important is because it makes them world citizens,” Robb said. “And, for some of the students, that doesn’t happen any other way – to be part of an outstanding music group and use that as a way to grow up and expand their education.”
The longtime educator, in his 20th year at GHS, says there’s no better teacher than hands-on experience.
“We’re going to a place where music is king, and that’s a little intimidating,” Robb said.
The students’ excitement is somewhat lost on Robb, who said he’s focusing his energy on making sure the music is up to par. They know the songs, but need to do some fine tuning.
“We’re getting there,” he said.
Until the last of the funds are raised, their concentration will be directed toward seeking donations from the community.
The group’s most recent fundraiser – a wine and cheese luncheon and classical music performance – attracted a smaller turnout than expected, but was so well received that it will probably become an annual event, Robb said.
The Chamber Singers will offer a free kick-off performance before their European trip at 7:30 p.m. April 7 at South Valley National Bank.
“I’ve always wanted to perform there,” Robb said. “With the acoustics, I think it would be an interesting space.”
Anyone interested in donating to the Chamber Singers’ trip to Germany and the Czech Republic should call Phil Robb at 847-2424, ext. 2288.
