A successful choir requires singing in the right key. Everyone’s voices must blend together to form a harmonious whole. While differences in key and tempo are discouraged, variety in song selection and singers’ racial backgrounds are definitely supported by Paly’s choir program.

Although Paly choir does not have significantly greater participation this year, it has attracted racially diverse students. There are more Hispanic and African Americans singing in this year’s Beginning Choir program.

"The diversity in choir has improved especially in Beginning Choir," choir teacher, Michael Najar said. "It is great to have students of different cultural backgrounds share music."

Junior Nigel Hawkins is one of the African American students as well as one of six football players that decided to join choir this year.

"I never looked at it [the class] like that [in a racial perspective]," Hawkins said. "I guess it’s a good change to have more nationalities."

"My older brother used to have his friends over and they’d listen to lots of music." Hawkins said, explaining the origin of his eclectic taste in music. "My family is really into music and plays instruments so I’ve been with music throughout life."

Many of the people joining Beginning Choir this year are new to singing altogether.

"Students do not have to know how to sing," Najar said. "That is what I teach them to do. You can be taught how to sing."

Beginning Choir is only one of the five classes that singing students may join. There are also Madrigals, Spectrum, Heartbeats, and Concert Choir.

"This is my third year in [Paly] choir and my first in Madrigals," Junior Kate Fruchterman said.

Choir has also been trying to add lots of variety in its songs so more people can relate to the music.

"Last year, we did everything from spirituals, to Bach, to ‘No Woman, No Cry’," Fruchterman said.

The diversity and range of this class has really hit a high note among its students.

"There are so many things to love about the Paly choir," Fruchterman said. "I feel that everyone improves a whole bunch over the course of the year and it’s just a great experience."

Hawkins agreed, echoing the importance of diversity.

"[Choir is] really fun," says Hawkins. "It’s not what is expected of a choir class."