Best School Music Group: Yuma High Choralairs

The Yuma High School Choralairs have been entertaining both students and community members for years with their upbeat singing and dancing in shows featuring a live band and a mix of modern music.

In recognition of their many years of entertaining the community, the group has been chosen by Yuma Sun readers as Yuma's Best High School Music Group for 2010, in the Yuma's Best poll.

“That is exciting news,” said Tim O'Brien, who was the group's director during the 2009 and 2010 school year.

“I didn't imagine they would pick my group to be Yuma's Best. I think a lot of it has to do with the prestige set forth by the Choralair program in previous years.”

O'Brien said all of his students were excellent musicians and singers.

“There were quite a few singers who stood out.”

Ami Spencer, who was a junior in the spring of 2010, was inspired to sing by her fellow students.

“I get my inspiration from the beauty and happiness that it brings to everyone and just seeing how happy everyone gets when music is around in their lives,” she said.

Juan Gonzalez, a freshman at the time, thought joining Choralairs would be an adventure.

“I wanted to try something new, something no one in my family has done before.”

Cristen Felli liked the choreography involved with putting on a show, especially for the song “You Can't Hurry Love,” which the Choralairs sang during one of their performances.

“(It's) my favorite because it's a cute and bouncy song where the girls can show off,” she said in the student yearbook.

What made Choralairs stand out was constant practice, O'Brien said.

The students practiced their songs and routines every day before rehearsing for their live performances in Snider Auditorium, he said.