It was the second coming of the lines outside of an electronic store on Black Friday, except this time, the electronic store was the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center.
On Dec. 4, the Moorpark College Orchestra, Choir and Vocal Ensemble took the stage in front of a sold-out crowd in a special collaboration to perform one of Antonio Vivaldi’s most prominent works “Gloria.”
Member of the orchestra Robert Waddell, a 20-year-old Chemical Engineering major, gave his thoughts just moments before the concert on performing in front of a packed audience.
“It’s more exciting…just to have it all filled out,” said Waddell. “I’m going to go out there and try my best to entertain everybody.”
The crowd inside the theater had their eyes and attention locked in as the orchestra, choir and ensemble worked side by side through each of Vivaldi’s movements.
Choir member Brandon Lawrence, a 19-year-old Music major, gave his overall thoughts on the performance.
“I felt really good about it,” said Lawrence. “There were some moments that we fell a little flat, but on a whole, it was a good performance.”
Lawrence’s grandmother, Arlene Kochans, expressed her opinion on the collaboration between the departments.
“[The choir] just blended together so well with the orchestra and they compliment each other,” said Kochans.
Joseph Reyes, a 21-year-old Music major, plays the tuba in the orchestra and explained how the ability to perform with another music department with such a limited time to prepare is something that can be difficult to achieve.
“Everything works great when each group is working on themselves, but when you put them all together, there is a lot of other things you need to worry about,” said Reyes. “But it’s really cool because the more musicians you collaborate with the more experience you get of what it’s like in the music industry.”
Those who participated in “Gloria” reminisce what it was like to work with music director Brandon Elliott such as 19-year-old choir member Michael Arsen.
“In high school and elementary school, all you had to do was memorize a piece,” said Arsen. “Working with professor Elliot, he wants you to know it all. He definitely focuses on preparing you for the real world.”
With the concert reaching new heights this year, 18-year-old Art major, Alyssa Drucker attended and participated in the event share what they hope to see in next years concert.
“Next year I would love to see a little more diversity, such as adding some Hannukah music,” said 18-year-old art major Alyssa Drucker.
Many would also like to see more collaboration between orchestra and choir such as 19-year-old Music major Tate Sherman.
“Working with choir is always fun,” said Sherman. “You don’t always get to rehearse with them, but when you do every moment counts.”
