The Garfield High School Choir is more than just a group of students who sing together—it’s a tight-knit community where music, camaraderie, and personal growth harmonize. In a recent episode of Beyond the Bureau, hosts Quinn Roborecki and SadieMae Ewell sat down with fellow choir members Lillian Adair, Olivia Seaborn, and Marshall Dahlen to discuss their experiences, favorite performances, and the unique aspects of being part of the choir.
A Passion for Singing
For many members, choir has been a lifelong passion. “I've always been interested in singing,” said Lillian Adair, who has participated in choir since elementary school. “I was sad to find out that we didn’t have a middle school choir here,” she added. Marshall Dahlen, a senior, shared a similar journey, having started choir in fourth grade at a different school before joining Garfield’s choir as a freshman. “[We have] a much smaller choir, but I enjoy it a lot more,” he said. Olivia Seaborn, an alto, explained that choir has helped her refine her vocal abilities. “Music has always been one of my favorite things, and I wanted to get better at it to improve for the musical.”
Quinn Roborecki, who is also a member of the choir, shared how joining the group has helped build confidence. “At the beginning of the year, I was pretty quiet and nervous, but as time went on, I got more comfortable singing with everyone.”
A Dynamic Vocal Ensemble
The Garfield High School Choir features four main vocal sections: bass, tenor, alto, and soprano. Members often switch sections depending on the arrangement of a song, showcasing their adaptability. “We've got exactly two tenors, so we can't exactly split up more,” joked Seaborn, highlighting the challenges of a smaller ensemble. Dahlen, a bass, added, “Being a bass, I sometimes get the melody, but most of the time, it's a lot of high jumps up and down.”
The choir director, Mr. Logan, plays an essential role in guiding the group. “He's the calmest person ever known to man,” said Dahlen. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him get mad.” Choir members also shared how Mr. Logan incorporates humor into rehearsals. “There was one time the tenors messed something up, and he just sat down at the keyboard, looked at us, and said, ‘Tenors.’”
Performances That Resonate
The choir performs multiple times a year, including two major concerts, a Cedar Point Music in the Parks event, and the annual tower lighting ceremony. Each event brings a unique atmosphere. Dahlen, for example, enjoys the winter concert’s “In the Bleak Midwinter,” describing it as calming and evocative. “Every time I’m outside in winter and there’s heavy snow coming down, I immediately think of that song. It just fits.” Others favor pieces from Broadway musicals, such as Dear Evan Hansen’s “You Will Be Found” and Wicked’s “For Good.” “I almost cried when we sang You Will Be Found—everybody’s voices together were just so moving,” Adair recalled.
The Cedar Point performance stands out as a highlight for many. “It's really fun, and the rest of the day you just get to be at Cedar Point,” Adair said, recalling how audience members, including young children, would stop to enjoy the music. “There was a group of teenagers last year, and we were singing We Know the Way from Moana. They were dancing and having a good time—it made me so happy.”
Building Confidence and Community
Beyond performances, choir fosters personal growth and friendships. Members spoke about the support they receive in choir class, where they warm up with vocal exercises, practice karaoke, and share inside jokes. “There are so many little jokes that we've got,” said Seaborn.
Seaborn also noted that the experience has helped her gain confidence in singing louder. “At the beginning of the year, I was really nervous, but the longer I’ve been here, the more comfortable I’ve become.” Dahlen emphasized how upperclassmen mentor newer members to help them improve. “We had this one student who came in practically tone-deaf, but by the end of the year, they had improved so much. It was great to see.”
The choir’s impact extends beyond music, serving as a social space where students bond. “It's just nice to have a class that's more about an interest than assignments,” Adair said. “It's a family.”
Looking to the Future
As the choir continues to grow, members have high hopes. One major goal is to build interest at the Middle School and give younger students the opportunity to get into the vocal music program before high school. “Right now middle schoolers who want to sing can only do musical. Choir would be so good for them,” Adair said. There’s also excitement for a planned 2025 trip to New York City, where choir and musical students will participate in a Broadway workshop and perform in the city. “We’re going to see a Broadway show, do an ensemble workshop, and just explore New York,” Ewell said excitedly.
Members also reflected on the success of recent musical performances. “We sold out all four shows of Beauty and the Beast, and it was phenomenal,” Ewell noted. “There’s high hopes for Mamma Mia! this year.”
Whether through the thrill of performing on stage or the laughter shared during rehearsals, the Garfield High School Choir remains a vital and enriching part of student life. As Dahlen put it, “You don’t have to be an amazing singer to be in choir—you just have to love what you're doing.”