By KyuHwi Han
Our voices filled the room, bouncing off each other, creating a surreal atmosphere as Ms. Goh conducted the room. The show choir girls stood in front of the mirror, their shawls tinkling with tiny shingles, trying to adjust their costumes, while the boys randomly started doing push-ups to “tone their arms” for the performance. There was a buzz in the air: the first live concert in two years. It was a rebirth and a change—a step away from videos and an empty audience.
“This is the night, guys,” Nicole Khor (12) said, “Let’s go all out.”
And all out we did.
Harbor Hall erupted with the cheers of excited elementary kids, overwhelmed middle schoolers, and supportive parents. We tried our best to sweep them away into a nostalgic Arabian night, then transitioned into a beloved Disney medley. As we stretched our arms out towards the audience, striking our last pose, the rest of the choir rustled backstage to get ready.
Just as we practiced, the forty of us sang our hearts out: diligently going through our motions for “Bonse Aba”, raising goosebumps as we sang miracles, taking the audience for a nostalgic ride with “Bohemian Rhapsody” while Mark Ho (12) blew the audience away with his electric guitar; singing hope to the crowd with You Will Be Found; and ending in a flourish with Everything That Hath Breath.
“I was really nervous, so I tried to use that energy to turn it into excitement,” Chika Tsumagari (12) recalled, “And I think we finished well.”
Absolutely, Chika! That growl of yours will remain in Dalat history.
But the night was not over.
While we basked under the purple lights, letting the cheers wash over us, Mr. Penland announced that there was one last performance.
Three senior boys stumbled onto the stage, flowers and all, and sang their rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me To The Moon” as a JSB asking. The crowd shook the hall with their whistles and hoots of encouragement.
“Since this is our last year,” Christopher Jang (12) said, “We wanted to end it big and memorable. The boys definitely made it fun.”
With a myriad of emotions and excitement painting the night, April 13th will remain a dear and lasting memory for many of us.
P.S. Chris would like to thank Mr. Penland and Ms. Goh for giving them permission and the opportunity to go out with a bang.
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