Mr. McGuire, a vocal music teacher at Woodbridge Middle School, discussed how he revived Camerata for the new school year, including what it entails, how to join, and the activities it offers.

Mr. McGuire explained what Camerata is, stating that Camerata means small choir, or small orchestra, or “essentially” a small group of musicians.

McGuire explained that some performances require a smaller group and stated, “So having Camerata gives me an ensemble that’s more mobile and more appropriate, and because students audition for acceptance to the group, they know that they’re gonna have to do these additional concerts, not just the Winter and Spring Concert.”

He also stated that “you cannot only be in Camerata, you also have to be in concert choir, because Camerata members are pulled from the concert choir.”

Rehearsals usually start with a “5 to 10-minute warm-up.” They may start with an easier song, and then spend the rest of  rehearsal working on whatever repertoire is coming up for their next performance.

McGuire said that members of Camerata are able to participate in the Six Flags competition trip as well. He stated that the only way, currently, to participate in that trip as a 6th-grader, is to be a member of Camerata. He stated, “Even though auditions for Camerata have concluded for this school year, there is a waiting list to get in. If you’d like to be added to that waiting list, you can schedule an audition, but in the meantime, all students are welcome to join our concert choir by taking the vocal music class in Quarter 3.”

Guiliana De Jesús is a student and Camerata member at Woodbridge Middle School. She stated her opinion on Camerata, what happens in it, and her favorite songs she wishes to sing in the program.

De Jesús stated, “It’s a very fun, program, and I feel like it’s better because you get your own time to shine because, since there’s less people, you won’t have more voices overpowering yours.”

She also mentioned that Mr. McGuire gives them “the challenge of singing these songs in different languages.”

She then summarized Camerata, stating, “You get to connect with your friends, but you also get to sing at the same time, and you get to sing more challenging pieces than we do in the normal choir.”