Odessa High School’s Broncho Legacy Choir will be putting out some “Good Vibrations” for its spring show set for May 14 and 15 at the OHS Performing Arts Center.
Head Choir Director Ginger Storey said the theme was the idea of Associate Director Rob Rodgers.
“He wanted to sing that song and it’s kind of worked. And honestly, I think after a year like this one the thought of being somewhere else is kind of nice — to get away go on a vacation,” Storey said.
Tickets are $15 for the prime seating, which is the center section; $10 for all other seats for adults; and $5 for students and children. To get tickets, visit ohschoir.ludus.com.
Storey said the show will include singing, dancing and skits.
“It should be a fun show,” she added.
The group of 14 performers has been working on the event since January. Several other students are working behind the scenes.
With more students coming back to campus in the spring, it has been easier to work with the performers.
“We tell them … you’ve got to be here. You can’t do this online, virtually, so these kids have been pretty consistent in coming to school every day. Even our students that are remote for their other classes are still coming to this class and I think that has made it much easier to prepare and to plan,” Storey said.
She added that the show is going to be great.
“They’re a great group of kids. We’ve enjoyed them and they’ve been a lot of fun. They’ve got a great attitude and they’ve got a good work ethic. They work hard and after we were so successful at our UIL a couple of weeks ago, I think they’re even more fired up,” Storey said.
She noted that they had three all-state musicians this year and 13 or 14 qualified for solo and ensemble competition.
“… We just had our UIL concert site reading evaluation two weeks ago and all four choirs came up with a sweepstakes, so we feel like we’ve had a very successful year considering all things. And I think the kids needed it,” Storey said.
She added that she hopes the choir’s success will attract students for next year.
“… We’ve had pretty good success with attendance. … We have lost some kids this year just for different reasons. Maybe they didn’t want to have to participate; maybe because they’re all virtual. … We’ve had different things happen. I think for the most part it seems like the kids are here and they’re a part of the program and they want to be a part of the program. I think what is really going to be hard is seeing what we get coming up from the middle schools because the middle schools have been hit a little bit harder than we have just because those kids can’t drive, so it’s not like they can come just to choir. Some of them were able to do that, but not all of them. Most of them were either all virtual or all in person. We’re in a different position because a lot of our kids drive and they’re able to come just for this class and then go back and do the rest of their classes at home,” Storey said.
Eighteen-year-old senior Noah Byford said this year has been rough because of COVID. He said the show was going to be an upbeat experience because he will get to sing in front of people again.
“But it’s also going to be a bittersweet moment because it’s my last one. It’s going to be kind of sad for me,” Byford said.
He added that he’s happy to be graduating and “getting out of here.” Byford said he plans to study physical therapy at Texas Tech University.
Arianna Franco is a 17-year-old senior.
“I’m very, very excited. We’ve definitely worked our tails off for the show considering last year’s show got canceled. And we were really good with preparation for that. We’re just happy that this year we’re having an opportunity to put on a show for people to come and watch,” Franco said.
Franco agreed with Byford that this is a time that is both happy and sad. COVID-19 changed a lot of what they would normally do.
“… So we definitely, as seniors, lost a lot of opportunities. But when it comes down to it, we’re given this awesome opportunity to perform one last time, so … I think it’s pretty great. … We definitely won’t take it for granted and (we’ll) put on a really good show,” Franco said.
She added that she is ready to graduate.
“I feel not only is that a huge accomplishment for me, it’s a huge accomplishment to all my teachers who have helped me; my parents, especially. Of course I didn’t get here on my own … I’m very excited for what the future holds for me considering that I am going after my doctorate in music theory, so I’m very excited.”
She plans to attend University of Texas Permian Basin where she expects to join the choir.
Ashton Ontiveros, a 17-year-old senior, said the Broncho Legacy show will be amazing. He is undecided on where he is going to college.
“We’ve been working really hard for the past couple of months and … I believe that we are going to do fantastic,” Ontiveros said.
He added that he is going to miss “every second of it.” “Even the being yelled at part for being a chatterbox. But I also think it’s going to be great for the underclassmen (to) step up after all the seniors are gone because they’re really good, too. And it’s so amazing to hear them and to think about the future of Broncho Legacy,” Ontiveros said.
