Green Hope Chorus’s last performance of the year took place on May 29, 2025. The concert was sold out and lasted about 100 minutes. It had a variety of catchy songs with important themes and captivated the audience.
Green Hope Chorus Program performed, “The Turn Off Your Phone Song” by Adam and Matt Podd. This song was a humorous way to start off the evening. The lyrics informed the audience to take a break from their phones and for them to quietly enjoy the show.
The group also sang, “United in Purpose,” by Rollo Dillworth. Percussion was performed throughout the song by Pierce Holbrook (‘26). This song shares the message that working together will allow for improvement of adverse conditions.
The Beginning Treble Ensemble performed, “La Rosa Enflorese,” by Lynn Shaw Bailey. When translated to English it means that “The Roses are In Bloom,” and it discusses how love changes over time. Green Hope Chorus Vice President Caitlin Belingon (’25) conducted this song. She reflected on her journey in chorus, “Chorus didn’t just teach me how to sing, or read music, but rather taught me how to enjoy every moment, how to even appreciate simple struggles that we may miss, and that kindness is everywhere if you look for it.”
The Beginning Treble Ensemble also sang “Voice on the Wind,” by Sarah Quartel. This particular song is rather challenging as it has four distinct voice parts that come together to sing it. Bersabeh Petros (’27) performed a riveting solo during this song.
Green Hopes Treble Ensemble performed, “Above the Chinese Restaurant,” by Laufey. This song was arranged by Chorus Vice President Belingon and Chorus Director Mr. Allen Botwick. Gianna Park (’27) and Kashvi Kumar (’27) were the instrumentalists on the song. Belingon picked this piece because, “It is my favorite Laufey song, it is such a beautiful song and the meaning behind it is bittersweet, just like leaving behind chorus.” This piece encourages the audience to not take what they have for granted. This song is especially powerful as graduation nears; it shares a reflection on the journey ahead.
Although the Davis Drive Middle School does not have a chorus class, Green Hope Students volunteer their time to help share their love of music with these middle schoolers. The Davis Drive Middle School Chorus Club performed “Storm,” by James M. Desjardins at Green Hope’s Spring chorus concert. Chorus President Emily Purdy (’25) played the drums during the song adding the thunder to the song. Anam Siddiqi (’25) conducted this song. Purdy and Siddiqi planned all of the lessons for the Davis Drive Middle School Club.
Green Hope Acapella Club is a student run club, and at the concert they performed “Budapest,” by George Ezra. It was arranged by Jackson Adame-Covey (’25). This song details the feeling of being away from somewhere where one yearns to be and connects to the broader themes of changes that the concert is about.
The Green Hope Barbershop Club is another student run club and they performed “Hello My Baby” by Joe Howard and Ida Emerson, a song about a man that only knows his girlfriend through a telephone.
The Tenor and Bass ensemble sang “San’bonani/Namhla Kudibene” by Michael Barrett. This melody is a traditional South African call and response song. The performance was intriguing because the singers were in the aisles of the auditorium rather than onstage. Seth Gursslin (’25) and Charlie Du (’26) performed exceptional solos during the performance, showcasing the techniques and skills they learned before the concert.
The Tenor and Bass ensemble performed, “Words on My Heart” by Mark Patterson. This song discusses finding courage to express thoughts and feelings concerning the world. The Tenor and Bass ensemble also sang “I’ve Got a Dream” by Roger Emerson from “Tangled.” This song is a humorous confession full of personality, and reveals shocking discoveries from an unlikely group of characters. It discusses vulnerability and that it is okay to share dreams with others.
The Tenor and Bass ensemble sang “Loch Lomond” by Jonathan Quick, this piece is a traditional Scottish folk song. At first this song may just seem about two people taking different paths to arrive at a destination. However, when one looks at Celtic legend, it states that the “low road” is the route for the spirits of the dead and the “high road” is freedom. Carter Stein (’26) performed an outstanding solo performance during “Loch Lomond.”
Green Hope’s advanced ensemble is known as the Voices of Hope (VOH). VOH performed, “The Times They Are-A Changin,” by Bob Dylan and arranged by Adam and Matt Podd. Dylan wrote this song in 1963 and released it in 1964. This song was rooted in the civil rights movement yet it is still relevant today as it’s about societal changes and protests. Emma Wiatrak (’25) performed a captivating solo during this song.
VOH also sang “Sit Down Servant,” arranged by Stacey Gibbs. “Sit Down Servant” is a traditional spiritual African American song that details the story of joy when entering heaven. Through its vivid imagery the audience is able to find peace in the soul’s journey to a restful space transcending religious differences.
VOH also performed “I’ll Be On My Way” by Shawn Kirchner, with superb solo performances from Rishil Shirumalla (’25), Nate Roof (’26) and Drew Nicholas (’25). Gianna Park and Arusha Damarla (’26) were the instrumentalists for this song. This song touches on the approaching graduation and the overall journey ahead for the seniors. This song is ripe with emotions and is particularly heavy for those that are “on their way.”
Advanced Treble sang, “Evocation” by Hye-Young Cho. The piece, while originally South Korean, is universal due to its common themes of love and remembering a loved one. Advanced Treble also sang “La Li Ley,” by Tracy Wong. This song draws inspiration from two Malay folk songs. The song receives the lyrics and style from “Canggung” and “Mak Inang” inspires the melodic opening of the piece.
Advanced Treble and Alumni performed, “Bridge over Troubled Water,” by Kirby Shaw, which discusses the themes of support and relying on others. This song is fitting as the bridge represents safe travel and support, while the troubled waters represent the pain and hardship of life.
At the end of the concert Green Hope Chorus Alumni and the entire current Green Hope Chorus program sang, “Omnia Sol,” by Z. Randall Stroope. In English, “Omnia Sol” translates to “The sun warms everything.” This song is perfect for those that have a shared experience in their coming of age story. Green Hope Seniors Siddiqi and Nic Andersen performed outstanding solo performances during the song. It celebrates the bond forged through music and individual growth. This song is a fitting metaphor for alumni as they go on to their next journey.
The last song of the night was, “Lean On Me” by Bill Withers. This song like, “Omnia Sol” was sung by the alumni and is about support and friendships. Belingon shared how much chorus impacted her, “I hope that the audience just knows how much the chorus matters to the community of people within it, and how it benefits the structure of the general community of students at Green Hope. I want the parents to realize that this sort of class and community is crucial to the growth of their kids,” said Belingon.
At the end of the performance 29 seniors changed their plans after graduating. Some of these students have only been in chorus one semester and others for all eight semesters of high school, but all of them have been deeply impacted by the Green Hope Chorus program. As Belingon leaves the Green Hope Chorus program she recommends that, “Everyone find a community in their life where they feel truly themselves.”
