Music builds community, like when the Chamber Singers perform at Sunday Chapel, or when students sing their hearts out during karaoke nights in Stockdale. This year, music at Webb has taken on a new professional level for four students. 

The Southern California Honor Choir is a prestigious choral program for high school students. The audition is highly competitive — around 250 out of 600 students are selected. If selected, singers rehearse for three days, 12 hours each, on a college campus, preceding a performance on the final night. 

This year, four students from Webb’s Honors Chamber Singers class were selected to participate in the Southern California Honor Choir and its November 8th performance at the University of Redlands. The four selected were: Angelina Wu (’28), Madison Leiva (’27), Felix Van Wagner Meade (’28), and Saraya Chigoji (’27). 

Joining the choir is an amazing opportunity for students to make connections, broaden their horizons, and interact with college-level musicians and faculty. 

“In just a few days, they’ll grow tremendously as musicians and individuals,” Ms. Lamb said. “It’s empowering to accomplish something so challenging; it builds confidence and motivation to continue.” 

Each of the four students selected has their own unique journey with music and what brought them to the Southern California Honor Choir. 

Angelina Wu (’28): Cultivating Connection Through Song 

For Angelina Wu (’28), music has always been a way to connect with others, herself, and specific moments in time. She began singing in choir in second grade and hasn’t stopped since. 

“I enjoy how so many voices can blend together to form a strong foundation,” Angelina said. “I enjoy how the parts in the choir interact with each other to create vivid imagery with dynamics, words, and emotions.”  

To Angelina, music is a medium for emotions and memories. 

“The soothing effect of music never comes more strongly than when I sing or listen to a song I once loved, bringing waves of emotion and memories that take me back to that time,” Angelina said. “Through practicing and working with lyrics, I can connect with the singers’ emotions and translate them into myself, adding my own element and understanding to the piece.” 

Angelina’s connection with music has grown over the past two years of participating in Webb’s vocal program, where she shares her passion with talented peers. With guidance from Ms. Lamb, she was able to deepen her music theory knowledge and improve her vocal techniques, allowing her to bring more meaning to each performance.  

When Angelina discovered that she was selected for the Southern California Honor Choir, she could hardly believe it.  

“I totally didn’t expect to make it,” Angelina said. “When I saw my name on the list, my heart was pounding.” 

At the University of Redlands, Angelina was able to make friends with people who shared her passion for singing and music. She improved her musical skills so she can bring that same energy and technique to her performances in Honors Chamber Singers. 

Madison Leiva (‘27): Music is The One

Given how involved she is in musical theatre and Honors Chamber Singers, it’s hard to believe that Madison Leiva (’27) almost didn’t take Vocal Training and Techniques her freshman year. When she walked into her first class, Madison was racked with nerves about the concept of singing by herself in front of others. But, in true Madison fashion, she did it anyway. Since then, Madison always skipped out of the classroom with a smile on her face. Webb’s music department had gained an important member. 

Solos in Chamber Singers, star moments in the Spring Musical, and singing the national anthem at varsity volleyball games with Saraya Chigoji (’27), by the start of her junior year, Madison was fully immersed in the world of Webb’s fine arts. That’s when she set her sights on the Southern California Honor Choir. 

After hours of practice, learning songs in other languages, and pushing through stressful auditions, Madison checked her email while on the California college trip during fall break. Screams emerged from Madison’s hotel room. She had made it.  

“When I found out, Saraya and I were in a hotel room together,” Madison said. “I was just so excited, and we were jumping up and down.” 

For Madison, being able to participate in the Southern California Honor Choir showed how her love for music triumphs over everything else. Nerves, hard days, sickness, homework, and more cannot stop Madison from singing her heart out every chance she gets. 

Felix Van Wagner Meade (‘28): Technique Meets Passion 

Felix Van Wagner Meade (‘28) has been crafting his vocal skills from a young age. After singing in middle school and taking Vocal Training and Techniques last year at Webb, he found a spark for choral music and decided to join Honors Chamber Singers this year.  

Supported by Ms. Lamb, Ms. Plumley, and the entire fine arts department, Felix credits their encouragement as a key part of his growth as a vocalist.  

“All of the directors and performance faculty are supportive and encouraging when it comes to practicing and trying new things in singing,” Felix said.  

When he found out that he was selected for the Southern California Honor Choir, Felix was pleasantly surprised. Eager to immerse himself in an environment filled with equally passionate musicians, he looks forward to connecting with others who share his love for singing.  

“I’m definitely looking forward to meeting a lot of new people who are just as passionate about singing as I am,” Felix said.  

Although he had anticipated three long days of nine-to-nine rehearsals, Felix welcomed the challenge. For him, the intensity of the program was an opportunity to meet aspiring musicians who shared his love for music. 

Saraya Chigoji (‘27): Pure Self-Expression 

Saraya Chigoji (‘27) has never had a problem expressing herself. Since she was a kid, those around her have described Saraya as loud, outgoing, and energetic. On any given day, you can hear her laughing and talking with her friends at various places around campus.  

Despite already being an extrovert, Saraya’s presence is amplified when she steps on stage to sing or perform. Her voice and confidence command the room. 

Since starring as Roxie Hart in Webb’s production of Chicago her freshman year, Saraya can be found singing and dancing in the spring musical, ending her performance with heaps of adoration and flowers from the audience. This year, Saraya joined Honors Chamber Singers, and when the opportunity to audition for the Southern California Honor Choir arrived, she took it wholeheartedly. 

But Saraya did not stop there. The week after the University of Redlands performance, Saraya performed in Santa Clarita with the Southern California Jazz Choir. 

Saraya’s drive and ambition to succeed in music comes from it being the way she has always expressed herself. For Saraya, singing is more than just another one of her many talents; it is the purest way she shows who she is. 

“Being on the stage and singing has allowed me to input artistry into the way I express and invoke my emotions when I sing,” Saraya said. “It’s a way to show my heart without having to spell it out, and I think that’s one of the purest ways to express emotions.”