Choir members get fired up by opportunity to build rapport through baptism of flame

West Choirs fanned the flames of friendship by gathering for the annual choir ‘bondfire’ on November 4. For students, choir is more than just a class, but instead a community. Some students are involved in extracurriculars such as musicals and madrigals, but opportunities to see other students is limited given the large group. To combat this, choir director Bethany Meyer created the choir bondfire. 

“You make lifelong friends in your music classes that students are going to remember,” she said. “Giving students those opportunities outside of the school day to connect with those friends is important for the strength of our programs, but also for the mental health and wellness of our students.” 

The event was hosted by senior Christian Brazeau. However, it was no easy feat. Hosting the large, four-choir-classes group required lots of planning and preparation, but he was willing to take this challenge on.

“It’s one of those things where it brings everyone together and it’s nice to share my space with everyone else,” he said. 

This event is especially important for new choir students ranging from freshmen to seniors. For some, the bondfire provides future inspiration for high school.

“I feel like I get a chance to see who I want to be in my future and see the group of friends I want to have and who I want to grow up as,” freshman Kaylee Rose said. “I want to be a part of the choir and not just be some random kid, but be well known and be counted on by others in the choir. Seeing everyone just be together is really cool.” 

From the opposite point of view, seniors joining choir for the first year get a chance to see the choir as a whole.

“This is my first and last year going to a choir bondfire and so far I really like it because it’s very chill and relaxed,” senior Kendall Larson said. 

Larson is not only in choir but is also involved in other activities such as dance team.

“I know a lot of teams already do types of bonding events where they hang out, but I would definitely recommend this because it’s a great way to see other people and get to know other people who are a part of the activity,” she said. 

But some students have a different view on the occasion.

“The food and the people are my favorite part of the choir bondfire,” freshman Clover Stephater said. “Being a new student to Oshkosh West is kind of lonely, so I am really excited to meet new people in the choir. It has been great to meet all the new kind and supportive people in the choir.”

For returning choir members, the bondfire provides a different experience. 

“I love getting the chance to talk to my friends outside of the choir that I normally don’t get to see outside of the classroom,” senior Avery Pakula said. 

Even though choir students often spend at least an hour of the day together, that time is spent rehearsing and perfecting music. This is why the choir bondfire came to be; when the choir is close, the music is better.

“It helps bring the students together in a way that you can’t get in the classroom,” Meyer said. 

This is exactly why the choir has found so much success; using events like these as places to bond.

“We decorate our room together, we’re going to celebrate choir Thanksgiving next week, the kids are bringing in food and we are going to just be together,” Meyers said. 

Events like these create memories that choir students will cherish for a lifetime.

“It’s those things students are going to remember and hold near to their hearts and that’s what keeps students coming back,” she said. 

The bondfire is also one of the best chances for freshmen to get to know the choir. Many underclassmen are in either Wildcat choir for lower voices, or treble choir for higher voices. The bondfire gives them a chance to meet students from all sections interacting as a whole. One freshman uses the event to look forward to future years in choir.

“I'm looking forward to growing my voice through choir, I love all of it, all the people and the energy is really awesome,” Jay Jones said. 

The bonfire gives seniors, such as Jenna Mollenhauer, a chance to reflect on their time in the program.

 “I really like to see a lot of the underclassmen start to bond in a similar way that my class bonded when we were younger; it’s really sweet to see choir kids coming together.”

by Delaney Smith

Published November 27 2023

Oshkosh West Index vol 120 issue III