MVHS’ choir groups Bella Voce and Variations performed their annual Singing Valentines on Monday, Feb. 10. Nine smaller groups of students from both choir groups went from classroom to classroom to perform love songs for students. Each small group coordinated outfits to a unique theme, such as a slumber party, and sang a variety of songs, including “From the Start” by Laufey to “Cupid” by Connie Francis.
Sale for singing valentines started on Feb 6 and extended toFeb.7, where students could pay five dollars to write a card for someone, which the choir then delivered as part of their performance. Senior and Variations member Kanchan Kaushik acknowledges that selling was more difficult than expected.
“The rain kind of made it so that the sales were not super successful during the first few days,” Kaushik said. “But we extended the sales by an extra day and I don’t think it was raining that day, so I think we sold a lot that day. And then we sold some at the Mean Girls show, later in the night. So we ended up getting enough to do quite a few deliveries.”
Since the beginning of January, Bella Voce and Variations members have dedicated time to preparing for Singing Valentines, working on both the musical and performance aspects. Kaushik considers this event special because unlike other performances where choir teacher Amy Young selects the repertoire, Singing Valentines allows students to take full creative control. Each group has the freedom to choose their songs and decide how they want to present themselves by deciding on movement or choreography to enhance their performances.
Kaushik notes how out of her years performing Singing Valentines in high school, this year went the smoothest with the experience she gained in previous years. She believes that her small group got better at coordinating harmonies and performing and says that Singing Valentines is a way for her to use the skills she’s learned throughout the year to be a part of a gift.
“A lot of the time the choir has concerts, but it’s usually only the choir students and parents and their friends that get to see us,” Kaushik said. “Singing Valentines is a great way to showcase what you’re learning to the whole school, and it’s really fun that way.
