Westside Chamber Choir will be performing in Lincoln for the Nebraska Music Educators Conference on Friday, Nov. 22. The conference hosts band, orchestra and choir directors and provides opportunities for the different groups to  experience various breakout sessions and learning opportunities. There are also concerts in between sessions, and Westside Chamber Choir was selected as one of these performances.

“I’m super excited because I’m kind of competitive, to be totally honest,” said Westside Choir Director Greg Woodin. “I measure our success based on the accolades that we receive, and so I’m really excited that we have an ensemble that’s good enough to be selected for an honor like this.”

Woodin said he thinks this honor validates the work the choir has been putting in this year, as well as the last couple of years. He said it has been difficult for Chamber Choir to find an identity, and this performance has created one for them. Woodin said he is excited to make beautiful music and show the audience that Westside is not just a show choir school, but a choral school as well.

“I really want the audience, but also the ensemble, to be taken on a musical journey [during the performance],” Woodin said. “I know that sounds so cliché, but we have some really amazing, diverse repertoire that requires a lot of involvement, and it’s all very different stylistically. I really want the audience to be taken on that journey as well and leave with a smile on their face.”

The choir has been intensely rehearsing for the upcoming performance as well. Senior Yasmine Elrefaie said that they had a four hour retreat in the choir room for bonding and working on the music. They have also been working during open mods to practice musicianship and rhythm details. Elrefaie said that being accepted to perform was a great honor for her because Westside hasn’t been chosen to perform since the 90s, and there are only a handful of groups performing.

“I am excited because it’s a very exciting opportunity since Westside hasn’t gotten to do this in so many years,” Elrefaie said.

Elrefaie said that she hopes the choir has a successful performance and that audience members enjoy it.

“[I hope that] we will wow the audience,” Elrefaie said.