Sweet Serenade

Every October, the Samo choir program comes together to perform the “Sweet Serenade”: The first of five yearly choir performances that also acts as a fundraiser for the program. While the main goal of the performance is to fund the choir's expenses—such as tours, dresses, and tuxes, the “Sweet Serenade” has much more to offer.

Traditionally, Samo choir students sing classical, spiritual, tribal, folk, and songs in many different languages. However, when “Sweet Serenade” rolls around, students are ecstatic to be able to perform alternative and pop music—a treat for both the performers, and the audience. Choirs students love to have engaging audiences. Ella Crandall (’23), the leader of the acapella group, Beauty Shop and a member of Chamber Choir, shares how pop songs are favored for “Sweet Sarande”. 

“Most people prefer listening to pop kinds of music because it is very upbeat and fun to listen to. We want the audience to enjoy themselves and be able to sing along with the songs we pick,” Crandall said. 

This year's Sweet serenade consisted of group performances, duets and solos. To top it off, all the choir students came together to sing the hit song, "Easy On Me" by Adele. Crandall sang Taylor Swift's song "Cardigan" with a couple of other choir members including, Lara Hunter (’23), Katell Brady (’23), Sadie Lovett (’23), Egan Waktole (’23), Sydney DeFranco (’23) and Lucy Letscher (’24).

"This was fun because Taylor Swift is one of my favorite artists and doing a song with a couple of your best friends is always eventful," Crandall said.

As for many choir students, it was their first and last “Sweet Serenade”. The freshman had a lovely welcoming way of seeing the way concerts operate in a high school setting . As a member of Treble Chorus, Lila Subin (’26) expressed how she felt listening to the performances. 

"I think my first ‘Sweet Serenade’ was a fantastic experience. My all-time favorite part was singing with the group and how it sounded absolutely incredible. ‘Easy On Me’ is a very heartfelt song, but the choir managed to make it sound soft and powerful,” Subin said. 

It was a bittersweet moment for the seniors, as this is their last “Sweet Serenade” at Samo.  Ava Memarzadeh (’23), a member of Chamber Choir, has been with the choir for four years. She shares how wonderful "Sweet  Serenade" was for her.

"This ‘Sweet Serenade’ was an extraordinary moment to me as a senior in the program. ‘Sweet Serenade’ is a collaborative concert and an amazing experience as a kid in the choir." Memarzadeh said.

Memarzadeh was happy to share how working together with all grade levels resulted in something beautiful. 

"Students in all levels work together to perfect our combined pieces, and many work in small groups to perform their own songs. It was so much fun to sing our songs and for me to perform in a beauty shop and with a small group of friends as well. As choir presidents, Sadie and I were extremely proud of everyone in the choir and happy with our last sweet serenade," Memarzadeh said. 

The choir program will put on four more concerts this year that will highlight the students’ talents!