Students jazzed for weekend cabaret
By Anna Gao and Choyang Ponsar,
BlueDevilHUB.com Staff–
Davis High’s Jazz Choir is busily preparing for its annual cabaret dinner, which will take place Saturday, Feb. 6 and Sunday, Feb. 7 at the Emerson Junior High indoor commons. The dinner is the choir’s primary fundraising event for the year.
“It’s a big part of the choral program and a big part of their educational and music experience,” Jazz Choir director William Zinn explained.
The show will feature about 15 solos, ensembles and full choir pieces as well as numbers from the jazz combo. The pieces will encompass numerous singing styles, such as acapella and classical Broadway.
In addition, Jazz Choir members will show off their dance moves under the instruction of new choreographer Jeff Teague, who was hired toward the beginning of the school year.
“I think it’s gonna be great. I mean, it’s a fundraiser for the music program but I also think it’s going to be really entertaining,” Teague said. “Everyone’s been working really hard and they’re doing a good job.”
Preparations for the fundraiser are in full swing for Jazz Choir students.
“I think the preparation for Cabaret is going pretty well,” said junior Joey Tan, who is a section leader and dance captain. “We still have a lot to get done […] but we seem to pull it all together in time every year.”
Tan looks forward to her second Cabaret performance.
“Cabaret was one of my favorite parts of being in Jazz Choir last year,” she said. “I’m just really excited to experience it all again with a great new group of people.”
Junior Maya McHale is looking forward to the event for other reasons.
“[Going to Cabaret has] become a tradition of some sorts,” she said. “I used to go with my family, but for the past couple of years I’ve been going with my friends.”
McHale is going as a guest for one night and as a volunteer for the other.
“I signed up to volunteer because I knew that since there’ll be great entertainment, it won’t be a boring volunteering job,” she said.
Like Tan, junior Laura Hiller is a member of the choir, but this year will be her first time performing in Cabaret.
“I’m looking forward to dressing up and getting to perform in front of everyone,” Hiller said.
Tan recommends the fundraiser for a variety of reasons.
“You get a mix of singing and dancing, old songs and new songs, food and music, all swirled in jazz and sprinkled with our fantastic combo. Students, staff, parents and community members will all enjoy it. It’s also a great way to support the Jazz Choir,” she said.
Zinn gave his pitch as well.
Tickets, which are available at www.jazzchoir.net, include a catered meal during the performance, and are $40 for adults and $20 for students.
