April Hettinger from CBS 13 speaks to the award-winning singers
YUMA, Arizona (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Catholic Golden Shamrock Choir won a second silver award in a virtual national competition, masks and all.
David Vielbig, a junior at Yuma Catholic High School, says it’s an honor to compete in a school year like no other.
“Even though we weren’t able to be there, it was great to be able to take a picture and broadcast it and still get exactly the same feedback from the judges as if we’d been there,” said Vielbig.
Half of the students in the Brandon Coz class are virtual while the other half are in-person, which makes it difficult to mix their singing.
“I offer Zoom lessons, I send them music, I make piano tracks from their specific vocal parts,” Coz said.
Mr. Coz is the school’s performing arts director as well as the choir teacher.
The Shamrocks won a custom plaque for their winnings against five other choirs in their division.
However, senior Laura Schmidt said they met in person to record their entry for the national competition.
“Practice the music alone and like our sections and then when we come together and sing them, as if you really notice that there are so many different sections and works that have to come together for this music to come about,” explained Schmidt.
When they got together, a long-awaited reunion motivated the choir to give all they have, said Senior Heathcliff Paul.
“We’ll finally see each other again after such a long time and it just inspired everyone to do our best,” said Paul.
Students see more than just music in this extracurricular area.
“The choir is a family,” said Vielbig.
And they keep connecting.
“It’s great to have a new family every time I do it,” said Paul.
The improvement in the voice was just as noticeable as the teamwork.
“From there until now it’s been night and day for the sound of the choir,” Coz said.
The Shamrocks were a point and a half below the gold rating, another thing to work on next year.
Tonight at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. On your side, April Hettinger speaks to the proud teacher and the honorary choir students.
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