Desert Vista High School will host its first choir concert of the year on Thursday night, accompanied by the Phoenix Chorale.
The choir’s director, Andrew De Valk, is also a member of the Phoenix Chorale and said he is excited to bring the experience to his students.
“We’re really excited, and (the students) talk about it all the time,” said De Valk, who has sung for the chorale for 10 years.
An Ahwatukee Foothills resident, De Valk said the concert will be themed to music from around the world.
The concert’s music list will represent about 12 languages that include Russian, French, Latin, Spanish and Swahili, among others.
“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” De Valk said of conducting and teaching the songs in different languages. “But I’ve always wanted to do it.”
The Grammy award-winning Phoenix Chorale has about 27 members, including De Valk, and was found in 1958.
The Desert Vista choirs will perform first, followed by the Phoenix Chorale. Desert Vista’s A Cappella choir will then join the Phoenix Chorale for a final piece called “The Ground,” by Ola Gjeilo.
Though De Valk is used to the camaraderie with music professionals, he said he’s excited the students get the opportunity to perform with the chorale.
“I’m hoping the (chorale’s) greatness will rub off on them,” De Valk joked.
The concert will be at 7 p.m. on Oct. 4 in Desert Vista’s auditorium, 16440 S. 32nd St. Tickets are on sale for $5 at the school’s bookstore. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.
For more information about the Phoenix Chorale, visit phoenixchorale.org.
Contact writer: (480) 898-4903 or dmartinez@ahwatukee.com
