Cypress Show Choir had its first performance of the 2025-2026 school year on September 25 and 26 at Cypress High School, titled “City of Stars.” This group performed songs from “Hamilton,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Jekyll & Hyde,” and more. They got to show off the songs they’ve practiced so far this school year for a live audience at the Cypress theater.
Putting on a great show came with many challenges throughout the process. Senior Aarya Banerjee reflected, “I think the most challenging part would be coordinating the different songs together because it takes a lot of emotion, and you need to really understand what each song means.”
Senior Vinuthna Kuchibhotla agreed it was especially challenging to get everything “cleaned up and correct” since it was their first performance as a new class.
When asked about her favorite song to perform, Kuchibhotla said, “Definitely Facade. I think the vocals and the choreo are so complex that it just clicks in your brain.” She hoped the audience felt the emotions behind each performance. “Each song has its own feeling… Facade has more of a mysterious vibe. Far Too Late has more of a sad, melancholy vibe. So I think just resonating with the audience is our goal,” she said.
Being in choir comes with many new experiences. Junior Gabriel Camacho said, “It’s really fun. Every year, I feel like it gets better. This year, I feel like it was even better because a lot of my friends from Lexington came.”
The show preparation process wasn’t just what students had to work through. Choreographer Karina Alfajora said that the choir program has grown significantly, jumping from around 80 students last year to nearly 100 students this year. Alfajora mentioned that balancing that many students in rehearsals had its own difficulties, but worth it, as for the first time in four years, Cypress Show Choir sold out its Friday night fall show.
Beyond the music and experiences itself, choir is a community in which any student is welcome. Banerjee encouraged, “For anyone who wants to join choir, we have a really good community here, and it’s amazing how much you can do, especially as a freshman.” He explained that new students can grow with the program and take part in all it has to offer. Director Hollie Jones adds on her message to future students who want to join the program, “If you’re thinking about it, just do it, because you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
