Letting It B

Suzie Harrison

Seated at the piano, Roxana Ward, choir director at Laguna Beach High

School was working with the choir on its final show, “Let It B,”

which runs today at 7:30 p.m. at the Artists’ Theatre.

The concept of the performance is the use of songs by greats whose

name begins with a B such as Bach, Bernstein, Bacharach and the

Beatles. Ward wanted to have a concert that showed the connection

especially with the Beatles, Lennon and McCartney with classical

music.

“I was thinking about 110 years from now, they’ll be the new

classics,” Ward said.

“Let’s warm up these voices,” Ward said.

A series of mi’s, ah’s were exercised.

“There’s tons of different styles,” Nathan Greene, 17, said. “Some

of the Beatles are a Capella, it’s a special version.”

Greene said he enjoyed doing a madrigal version of “Can’t Buy Me

Love.”

“Open your mouth,” Ward said. “One ah, 1, 2, 3, ‘Can’t Buy Me Love

-- fall into it, ‘I’ll buy you a diamond ring my friend.’ Don’t rush

we have plenty of time, otherwise it sounds rushed like an 8-year-old

telling a story.”

They worked on “And I Love Her,” “If I Fell,” perfecting each

note; pleased with their ability she explained how special this group

is.

“After ‘Let It Be,’ it’s ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand,’” Ward said.

“This is legato don’t rush it.”

Finishing that took them to Bacharach and “Westside Story,” and it

was Greene’s turn to be a soloist. Greene stood next to Ward on piano

and started singing “Tonight.”

Katie Johnson, 18, is part of the chorus.

“I think it will go great because there are so many talented

voices,” Johnson said. “It’s such a fun group to be a part of.”

Soloist David Bennett, 18, said he likes the selections they will

be performing.

“I like the Burt Bacharach medley a lot,” Bennett said. “It’s hard

to say because I like it all -- everything from Bernstein to

Bacharach, it’s a lot of contemporary music in a classic manner.”

Isaiah Powell, 18, liked that “Can’t Buy Me Love” was in madrigal

instead of rock ‘n’ roll.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Powell said. “My favorite piece is

the ‘Westside Story’ medley since I’m in drama -- it’s a show I’ve

always wanted to do, but never had the chance to.”

Powell explained that the concert is really more choral than

classical, which he finds is an interesting take on all the songs,

and a fuller way to hear them.

“And I Love Her” taught Powell the most.

“For me, it was getting out higher than my natural range,” Powell

said. “It made me work harder to become better.”

Laura Fryer, 17, said Ward has been a tremendous asset to the

choral department.

“Roxana is the greatest thing to hit Laguna Beach High School,”

Fryer said. “She makes it easy to learn, she creates an atmosphere of

confidence, where everyone is not afraid to sing in front of

classmates and her.”

This will be Powell’s last performance because he is graduating in

a couple of weeks.

“I’m going to miss it a lot,” Powell said. “It’s always been a lot

of fun for me and a good release. I’ll miss the performance arts

department the most -- I had a lot of fun, it was a good experience.”

Ward said that Thurston Middle School is also part of this

performance and will be doing five numbers. Besides this class she

teaches an after school choral program from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. every

Wednesday for kids who are interested in chorus, but have a tight

schedule and can’t fit it in as an elective. These students are a

part of the chorus and are in the show.

“Let It B” will be performed today at 7:30 in the Artists’ Theatre

located at 625 Park Avenue at the high school. Tickets are $5 for

adults and $3 for students.