Choir members star in "Big Voice"

Max GumbelStaff WriterConveniently located barely 30 minutes from Hollywood, the Samo campus has been featured in a number of short and feature-length films. Yet, the focus of the production crew visiting campus is not to recreate a genuine-looking high school backdrop this time. They are here to film students.Director of new documentary “Big Voice,” Varda Hardy, and her team are here to shoot  as they produce a documentary about Samo’s choir program.The new film centers around Samo choir teacher Jeffe Huls and his students in the two top choral ensembles, and deals with a public school music program overcoming decreasing funding for art education. “Big Voice” also examines the struggles that come with pursuing dreams in creative and competitive  fields.Hardy’s inspiration sprouted from the recurring discussion of public school budget reductions, specifically involving arts education. Hardy, whose daughter Raven Bennett is a Madrigal singer in the choir program, thought that Samo would be a perfect environment to showcase.“I’ve always wondered how Huls and his students achieve such inspiring artistry within the context of a public school,” Hardy said. “I then had the inspiration that is now growing into ‘Big Voice.’”Hardy approached Huls last fall with the idea, and by the end of that year filming had begun.“When [Hardy] talked to me about a new documentary, I immediately said yes, but I never thought production would start any time soon,” Huls said. “However, by the middle of the year, I was pleasantly surprised to find that all the necessary paperwork was done and that the district had approved the entire project.”However, “Big Voice” still had a long way to go. The production team needed an additional $40,000 to carry on with production. That goal was met and exceeded by nearly $5,000 with 442 donators.Choir students were excited to be a part of film which focused on both the choral program and individual choir students.“I think it is just fantastic that the choir program will be highlighted because it is absolutely amazing,” junior Madrigal Ensemble singer and Hardy’s daughter Raven Bennett said. “The movie will show all the hard work that is put into becoming a successful ensemble.”As the idea turned into a production, cameras started to fill the choir room, altering the environment of the class.“[The cameras are] a little intimidating, and at first I was really worried about what I was doing and what I looked like,” junior Madrigal member Nora Winner said.  “But since then, I’ve really considered and thought about the purpose of the documentary and I find a way not to notice anymore.”For some, the “Big Voice” cameras also extend into their lives outside of the classroom.“Several students are being interviewed outside of the classroom, like at home, around school, or at private voice lessons,” junior Madrigal member Isaac Nemzer said.With this angle on students as individuals, many members of the choir are also given very rare opportunities to work with professional artists of many kinds, and a few are even writing their own songs. Winner, for example, is currently creating a song with pop music composer Siedah Garrett, who co-wrote Michael Jackson’s hit “Man In The Mirror”.“The experience of working with such distinguished people is really special for the students,” Huls said. “The songs will also add pop music to a documentary about a classical choir, stirring additional intrigue from audiences that listen primarily to pop songs.”According to Hardy, the film’s focus on choir students shows the challenges and possibilities that are inevitable in the pursuit of a dream.“I want especially to encourage and inspire young audiences,” Hardy said. “During these constricted and austere times, we need authentic stories that remind us that anything is possible when we are truly determined and put in hard work.”“Big Voice” also displays how singing in a choir drives those involved to accomplish goals that may not have to do with music or the arts.“Music is really a way of expressing one self, and the more you’ve experienced the more you can really appreciate music’s value and message,” Huls said. “Therefore, experiencing music like how we do in choir can be a way to achieve personal growth.”“Big Voice” is also very much centered on how Huls inspires and motivates his numerous aspiring choir students.“Huls lives and breathes music,” Winner said. “He pushes the choir until we are the best we can be at that moment, and then pushes us past what we thought was possible to achieve.”According to Winner, Huls’s passion will be displayed in the movie, showing the dedication that many teachers have, regardless of the budget or overall success of the school they teach at.“We hear so much about ‘broken’ schools, and the flaws in public education these days,” Hardy said.” Huls, and “Big Voice” as a whole, should show that teachers with rigor can overcome the adversity they face.”Although “Big Voice” features one teacher, Huls, and his teaching style Hardy is adamant that the film is representational of teachers accros the nation.“Although “Big Voice” focuses on one teacher, my intention is that this teacher will serve as an example of the many other excellent teachers who are truly passionate about teaching the subjects they teach, and enriching the lives of their students,” Hardy said.Hardy hopes that the documentary will raise awareness for issues involving public education, like the film “Waiting For Superman”  did last year. However, “Big Voice” sheds a positive light on what a school like Samo and a teacher like Huls have the ability to accomplish.“I believe that if all we do is focus on what’s wrong with the system we start to perpetuate the very problem we are criticizing,” Hardy said. “With so many negative depictions of public schools, we are left with the impression that public schools are inherently problematic, but this school district has shown me otherwise.”Even though there is still about a year of filming left, many cannot help but anticipate the release of “Big Voice,” as well as how it may impact the way people see public education, specifically regarding the arts.“I really hope that the film communicates the need for the arts in schools,” Nemzer said. “These programs are in desperate need of funding, and hopefully this movie will kick-start the support of taxpayers for education and the arts.”The Samo community has already rallied to raise funds for the “Big Voice” project, with many posting links to the movie’s funding site on multiple social networks.“Fundraising was tough, and there were many complications,” Huls said. “However, our community has stood by this movie, having worked their hardest to make this film work.”And, in fact, the actualization of the project through funding backs up the film’s idea that a small community can flourish despite growing odds.“My experience with the Samo community has revealed to me that there are many challenges to face, sometimes seemingly insurmountable,” Hardy said. “But, with the determined support of a caring and engaged community, obstacles can be overcome.”mgumbel@thesamohi.com