Arvada West HS Company West 2020 SWACDA Performance

Arvada West High School Company West
Chris Maunu, Director
Emily Keelan, Accompanist
Gene Crout, Guitar
Jacqueline Pankratz, Violin and Chimes
This was our last pre-pandemic performance. 1 week after we exited the stage, our school closed for what would become the remainder of the school year. I have had an extremely difficult time allowing myself to watch this performance. The wounds are still raw. First, it was an incredibly vulnerable performance. The concept was born out of a shooting threat at our school and an original poem by our student, Taylor Huntley. I've been avoiding sharing it, as it didn't feel right to share about a topic that seemed so unrelated to what has been going on in the world. I then revisited the text. If it weren't for a few key words and phrases, this program could very easily be about the pandemic. The loss of loved ones "Where are ye, oh my loved and loving," the frustration and ongoing fear "They say I am safe, but they can't guarantee," and the hope that we can conquer this through our collective humanity "This is the sound one spirit, one people, one voice."
"Consolation: Requiem for Parkland"
All are not taken; there are left behind living Belovèds, tender looks to bring, and make the daylight still a happy thing, and tender voices, to make soft the wind. But if it were not so-if I could find no love in all the world for comforting, nor any path but hollowly did ring, where ‘dust to dust’ the love from life disjoin’d, and if, before those sepulchres unmoving, I stood alone (as some forsaken lamb goes bleating up the moors in weary dearth), crying ‘Where are ye, O my loved and loving?’… I know a Voice would sound, ‘Daughter, I AM. Can I suffice for HEAVEN, and not for earth?
Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)
Réquiem aetérnam dóna éis Dómine: et lux perpétua, lúceat eis (Translation: Grant eternal rest to them, O Lord: and let perpetual light shine upon them.) - from the Introit of the Requiem Mass
"Deer Song (Considering Matthew Shepard)" - by Craig Hella Johnson
Deer: A mist is over the mountain, the stars in their meadows upon the air, your people are waiting below them, and you know there’s a gathering there. All night I lay there beside you, I cradled your pain in my care, we move through creation together, and we know there’s a welcoming there. Welcome, welcome, sounds the song, calling, calling clear; always with us, evergreen heart, where can we be but there?
Matthew: I’ll find all the love I have longed for, the home that's been calling my heart so long. So soon I'll be cleansed in those waters, my fevers forever be gone; where else on earth but these waters? No more, no more to be torn; my own tones, my dearest, are waiting ̶ and I'll weep to be where I belong. Welcome, welcome, sounds the song, calling, calling clear; always with me, evergreen heart, where can I be but here?
- Michael Dennis Browne and Craig Hella Johnson (2015)
"Hive of Frightened Bees" by Andrea Ramsey
There is an ache in my chest from the emotions that swarm like a hive of frightened bees. There are tears in my eyes, as an imitation for the drops of blood shed in hatred. My head is stuffed with cotton, with thoughts I can’t comprehend. So instead, I try to ignore. I need to protect my family, I need to protect my friends, I need to protect my heart. They say I am safe, but they can’t guarantee. They cannot dig the hurt, the hatred in their souls. Of those that wish to hurt for revenge we cannot know. No matter what is said, no matter what we do, they always find a way. They are blind to the future, blind to the past, blind in the present. I hope one day we will change. - Taylor Huntley (2018)
"One Voice" by Ruth Moody
This is the sound of one voice. One spirit, one voice. The sound of one who makes a choice. This is the sound of one voice. This is the sound of voices two. The sound of me singing with you. Helping each other to make it through. This is the sound of voices two. This is the sound of voices three. Singing together in harmony. Surrendering to the mystery. This is the sound of voices three. This is the sound of all of us. Singing with love and the will to trust. Leave the rest behind it will turn to dust. This is the sound of all of us. This is the sound of one voice. One people, one voice. A song for every one of us. This is the sound of one voice.

[@daisyno8805]

I can’t believe this was my last choir performance in high school it makes me so sad to watch this

[@chrismaunu1195]

We miss you and plan to bring seniors back for Pops 2021 ❤️

[@hi-hc2ql]

They’re all ugly and none of them look bangable