Clayton Valley voices rise to the top at choir competition

CONCORD, CA (Apr. 18, 2024) — Clayton Valley Charter High School’s choirs swept the awards as part of the World Stride Choir and Music Festival in Nashville April 3-7.

The Show Choir, Concert Choir and Women’s Ensemble each brought home gold, along with the Adjudicator’s Award. The choir also won the Choral Sweepstakes Award as the highest scoring choral program overall.

According to parent volunteer Danielle Grimesey, the choirs faced a lot of competition. “It was music students from nine states, and there were 436 festival members,” she says.

World Stride puts on adjudicated competitions for students in choir and music classes in 20 cities across North America. Grimesey says Clayton Valley’s students and teacher/advisor Elizabeth Emigh succeeded this year despite some obstacles.

“They worked really, really, really hard, especially because Concert Choir and Show Choir was put together in one class this year. She was teaching two classes at the same time,” Grimesey says.

Being a volunteer gave Grimesey the chance to watch daughter Addison and the entire choir of 55 students learn, evolve and excel.

“I love seeing how proud they are when they reach a goal. For a lot of these kids, it’s the first time they’ve ever won anything,” Grimesey shares.

A competitive family

Senior McCovey Brennan, who has been in choir for three years, was surprised by the big victory.

“Knowing this was my last time competing with the group, I hoped we would get gold for one of the choirs,” says McCovey. “I never expected to sweep the competition.”

She notes that being in a competitive choir comes with its challenges.

“Choir is a family. We fight, we laugh, but we come together at the end to celebrate what we accomplished,” she says. “What matters to me is all the hard work we put in, the friendships I gained and the memories I made. Winning was the cherry on top.”

Energetic advisor

Grimesey calls Emigh “a woman of many talents,” noting she has a Grammy, teaches at Diablo Valley College and also directs the Piedmont Boys Choir.

Emigh has been at CVCHS for 25 years and is larger than life to her students.

“The kids love her,” says Grimesey. “They all want to go eat lunch in a room because it’s such a welcoming space for everyone.”

Emigh is confident in herself and her students.

“This is not my first rodeo,” she muses. “Although we’re a very small program, we perform with a lot of energy and emotional commitment to the music.”

The feeling of love and respect goes both ways, with Emigh praising Grimesey’s daughter. “Addison is just the most phenomenal student choreographer I’ve had in my 25 years, and she did amazing things with the Show Choir.”
Addison won the highest honor, the Maestro Award, as did Alexandra Ovalle from Women’s Ensemble. Only five students received the prize.

Teaching toward the future

Emigh says the students have to trust her completely, including her musical selections and leadership. In a good-natured way, she stipulates, “It isn’t a democracy.”

However, it is a cohesive and highly functional group.

“I would say that the more mature, experienced kids really lead the younger,” Emigh says. “There’s a sort of a mentoring to a mentee program, so there’s a lot of good student leadership within the group.”

Emigh’s philosophy centers on teaching students how to comport themselves in professional arts institutions, setting the tone for how they’ll approach college interviews and their creative careers.

“I definitely believe in creating a positive space where kids bring their energy,” says Emigh. “But I also feel very strongly about teaching them the formal behavior that’s needed in a performance, and I think that’s something they carry into every discipline. And sometimes that’s overlooked.”

While showing them “how to carry themselves at gigs and various performances in front of a crowd,” she corrects behavior but never shames students for it. She balances that safe space with an imperative to get kids out of their comfort zone.

“I’ve tried to have a lot of really dynamic activities that make the kids really want to be present in the music.”