Paly’s choir program is $700 richer after a performance by Paly’s Spectrum and Madrigal singers on Sunday, Nov. 20. Many different charities also benefited from this show.

Through the past weeks, choir students were selling tickets for $8 for a “Simon Day of Giving” hosted by Stanford Shopping Center. With these tickets, up to 15% discounts would be given to over 90% of the stores at Stanford Shopping Center. Of the $8, Paly choir received $5, while the charities received $3, according to choral director Michael Najar.

“This benefits different charities, and we’re getting money for choir,” sophomore Beth Nitzan said.

Choir sold 140 tickets, raising a total of $1120, with $700 going to the choir, Najar said.

Held between Neiman Marcus and Macy’s at 3:30 p.m., the show began with Spectrum singers, consisting of nine girls. Within minutes, a large crowd gathered around the girls and Najar. Throughout the entire performance, shoppers stopped to support the singers.

“It’s always fun to see people stop and smile at you,” senior Mary Hewlett, a Madrigal Singer, said.

Wearing black and white dresses, the Spectrum singers sang many holiday songs, including “Silent Night” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

After the Spectrum singers, the Madrigals sang their way to the stage. Dressed in Renaissance-style costumes, the choir consisted of five girls and five guys. More holiday songs, like “Deck the Halls” and “Joy to the World,” were sung. The performance ended with “Throw the Yule Log On, Uncle John,” a traditional song that has been sung for about 40 years by the Paly choir.

This is the first time Paly choir has performed for the “Simon Day of Giving.” It was also one of the few shows the choir performed outside, where, according to Najar, it is more difficult to sing.
“It’s hard to hear each other,” Chase Hunt said.

Despite this difficulty, Spectrum and Madrigals managed to present a great concert.

“[We enjoyed it] very much,” Madrigals said.

Najar added, “It’s a good way to start the holiday season.”