In the quiet morning halls of the J-wing, there is one class that always breaks that silence.
Practicing song lyrics and talking about the upcoming concerts and performances, J-12 is the school’s choir room where Marisa Bergh helps students find joy in singing. Whether it is the students first time in choir or their third year in her classroom, close bonds are formed and students have a safe place to learn.
“I have a lot of the same kids every trimester, every year,” said Bergh. “I just think it’s so cool for me to build those relationships with them and also for them to build the relationships with each other.”
According to studies done by the University of Oxford, choir not only helps people make close bonds with groups of people, but it also helps improve a sense of happiness and comfort.
Many students said that they look forward to class as it gives them a break from harder classes and gives a chance to sing and have fun.
“No es que sea una clase como fácil,” said junior Obed Gonzalez-Aguilar. “Pero es como algo que disfruto hacer, me ayuda como lederer como el estrés que traigo por otras clases.”
“It’s not like it’s an easy class,” said junior Obed Gonzalez-Aguilar. “Like something that I enjoy doing. [It] helps me cope with the stress I endure from other classes.”
Bergh tries to include everyone in her classes. For example, her 4th hour consists of many students whose first language isn’t English. Bergh does her best to make the class inclusive and fun. She has a way of making kids who are shy or quiet come out of their comfort zone and sing along with their classmates.
“She creates a fun environment that makes us want to learn,” said senior Micco Hearn.
Bergh often makes jokes, makes silly faces, and tells stories about the lyrics and student responses in prior classes to get the current students to participate. This helps many students to interact with one another and start conversation about almost anything.
Students in choir share their interests outside of choir like TV shows, video games, work, and even careers for the future. Although many who join choir do not intend to make a career out of singing, sight reading, keeping the beat and finding the rhythm, are all useful to learn especially if you are in other music related activities. Looking into career opportunities for music choir often helps students find opportunities to continue their musical interests outside of high school choir.
“I do plan on studying music education to become a choir teacher,” said sophomore Jazz Coston. “I really, really love choir.”
