On Oct. 22, the indoor theater at Bakersfield College was filled with people to watch the BC Chorale and Chamber Singers perform.
Ronald Kean, director of the Choral and Chamber Singers, chose this concert theme to be centered on the idea of the healing power of music, and a lot of gospel music was performed.
The performance was dedicated to the victims of the 2004 Indonesia tsunami. During the emotional song “Requiem,” a picture slide show was shown of disasters that have occurred around the world.
As the BC Chorale sang the lyrics, “Hear our mournful plea / Our world has been shaken / We wander our homelands forsaken,” they brought tears to some of the audience.
Special guests were the Centennial High School Chamber singers. “We are honored, privileged and excited to share our music with the audience and to hear the choirs at BC,” said Ray Medina, choir director at CHS.
The CHS Chamber singers sang three songs to contribute to the concert.
“The kids were awesome. They were just great,” said Diane Sterling after listening to the CHS singers.
“And this is why we sing,” said Kean.
“The show went really well. Great display of the talent here at BC,” said Brian Rathfelder, SGA vice president.
“It was great, very energetic, positive, and uplifting. Having a high school here was great too,” said Richard Newton.
Kean started the concert planning with one piece of music in mind, which was “Requiem,” then continued adding more pieces.
All the funds earned from the ticket sales of the concert help each member of the BC Chorale pay for travel expenses to Hawaii in May 2011, to tour the Polynesian Cultural Center, which will enable students to see the culture of Polynesia through their song, dance, arts, crafts and food.