MHS Ovation! choir visits San Francisco

On Wednesday, March 13, Morgan High School's Ovation! The choir woke up before the crack of dawn and met at the front of the school for their 2023-2024 choir tour to San Francisco, California. The choir has held multiple fundraisers throughout the school year to raise money for the trip, including selling Valentine's Day roses for students and staff. After a 15-hour bus ride on a Red Star Transportation coach, they arrived at Downtown Burlingame where they ate dinner and checked in at the Embassy Suites, a nine-story hotel. While at the hotel, participants had access to an indoor pool, fitness area, and a cooked-to-order breakfast.

Throughout the trip, the choir participated in multiple activities. On their first day in California, they traveled to Stanford University for a choir clinic conducted by Professor Stephen Sano. Following, the students were given a brief walking tour of the campus before they put on an impromptu performance at the Memorial Chapel. The amazing architecture and impressive acoustics made this a memorable experience. After leaving Stanford, the students provided another performance at the Saints Peter and Paul Church. Later in the day, the choir made their way to Ghirardelli Square to perform on the steps by the Mermaid Fountain. Once the performances were completed, the group spent the rest of the evening at the Westfield Centre Food Emporium to shop and eat dinner on their own.

On the second day, the group departed for a guided tour of downtown San Francisco. With the help of a step-on tour guide, students learned about the important history and sights in the area such as the Presidio, Coit Tower, Chinatown, and more. They even had the opportunity to do a photo op with the famous Golden Gate Bridge. After lunch, the group went on an Alcatraz City Cruise. Students and chaperones enjoyed a pleasant ferry ride across the vibrant bay. Once they arrived at the island, they witnessed breathtaking views and listened to captivating tales of the world's most well-known penitentiary during an audio tour of the cell house. Before leaving Alcatraz, the choir sang a number of their prepared songs to passing tourists and guests visiting the island. After returning to the mainland, the group headed to Pier 39 to eat dinner and shop for souvenirs at the Golden Gate City. On Saturday, March 16, the group left California and began the drive to Utah.

While in San Francisco, the choir performed the following songs: Dona Nobis Pacem, Ave Verum Corpus, Lully Lulla Lullay, Five Hundred Miles, Let It Be, Mairi's Wedding, Sing with Jubilation!, The Star-Spangled Banner, Remember Me, and A Song To You I Sing. λ