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The Buena High School Choir Program provides opportunities for students of all ability levels to develop vocal techniques and learn music fundamentals. The choir performs live at concerts, received a "Superior" rating in competitive music festivals, and records albums using the school's professional quality recording studio (an on-campus facility with professional quality equipment and industry-standard software, established with $10,000 worth of funds from VEP's Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's art grants).
Each year the choir records and produces a full-length album, releasing the final product for digital download on iTunes and Amazon Music. (Our previous albums are also available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.) Through this process, students analyze their recordings, evaluate their performances, and make meaningful changes to their practice routines in order to refine their artistry - all while learning about the business side of making music. This program provides an incredible opportunity for students to share their voices, fostering individual accountability and growth while providing group support.
Testimonials:
Testimonials:
"Buena is the best because of our choir class. ... I think it's been a really amazing experience being in the class for two years now, and I would definitely recommend it for anyone who wants to join. "
- Gwen Armstrong
"Buena is the best because of our recording studio. It has helped me write songs and explore my voice, and with that, it's going to help me with my music career."
- Annalie Sherman
How Buena HS Choir Came to Be
How Buena HS Choir Came to Be
A New Choir! - The Choir Strikes Back! - Return of the Choir!
A New Choir! - The Choir Strikes Back! - Return of the Choir!
When Mr. Downey got hired to teach Buena High School in 2012-2013, there was no choir. After graduating from Buena High School in 2003, Mr. Downey came back every year in the spring to work as a vocal coach for the musicals. Studying music in college was a revelation for Mr. Downey, so he couldn't believe that the spring musical was the only place at school for students to learn to sing. As a result, he got to work. In the 2014-2015 school year, he started a Glee club that got together after school so students could bask in the joy of singing in harmony with others. Named "Original Blend," the group's inaugural performance was at Mr. Buena, in which the group learned to sing and dance to the classic song, "It's Raining Men." The group also started the annual tradition of the BHS Vocal Showcase, in which students perform together as a group, but also have opportunities to sing solos, duets, and small group pieces. After some positive exposure and feedback, the administration at Buena and VUSD gave Mr. Downey the amazing opportunity to bring back choir, after an absence of 8 years. Since then, the choir has been growing in many ways:
We've more than doubled in size;
We've started ordering cool "choir threads" to wear at concerts;
We've been gifted five new, professional risers and acoustic shells;
We've received a "Superior" rating from the Southern California Vocal Association;
Thanks to some amazing grant writing by the illustrious Joel Levin, we've utilized professional-level equipment in our mini-recording studio to produce full-length holiday/winter-themed albums each year that are available for digital download on iTunes and Amazon Music. Our previous albums are available to stream as well on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and other major streaming platforms;
We have worked with professional audio engineers in order to mix and master our albums, such as Tim Frantz from Mountain Dog Musicworks, Jeff Dunne, and Devon Hammond;
And we have received a brand new, Model B Steinway Grand Piano!
Thank you for your support of this program and our students, and please enjoy a walk down memory lane below, as we prepare for a bigger and brighter future!
The Buena High School Choir 2024-2025 (From left to right):
The Buena High School Choir 2024-2025 (From left to right):
Top Row: Abigail Cortez, Gianna Dalba, Tegan Farnsworth, Nayeli Garcia, Cole Coyner, Aidan Barba, Luna Hrdina-Rivera, & ReAnne Bigos.
Middle Row: Xreneti Cassio-Flores, Shayne Perdue, Healey Ramot, Moira Jordan, Ezequiel Lluevano, Emalyn (Gentry) Powell, Aurora Neese, Jaceylynn Chavez, & Rayleen Arnold.
Bottom Row: Alina Rodriguez, Elynn Sandoval, Madeleine Brackett, Cooper Collins, Dominic Adams, Nolan Walton, Sakuntala (Haeun) Puengrod, Olivia Paul, & Olivia Stinnett.
Accompanist: Scott Cooper
(Not pictured: Novalee Frowiss, Omar Garcia, Evan Heurung, Nissa Lancaster, Brisa Rojas Colmanares, & Michael Watfa)
National School Choral Award Winners
National School Choral Award Winners
"The National School Choral Award® is the highest honor for high school choral performers. It recognizes the dedication and musical achievement of the top ... choral students. To preserve the integrity of this top award, schools are limited to two sets of student awards per year..." (The Instrumentalist Awards).
2024-2025
2024-2025
National School Choral Award: Luna Hrdina-River & Ezequiel Luevano
Rookie of the Year: Healey Ramot & Nayeli Garcia
Most Improved: Tegan Farnsworth & ReAnne Bigos
Outstanding Performer: Xreneti Cassio-Flores & Cole Coyner
2023-2024
2023-2024
National School Choral Award: Kayla Madrid & Adam Karluk
Rookie of the Year: Nolan Walton & Madeleine Brackett
Most Improved: Griffin Levi & Luna Hrdina-Rivera
Outstanding Performer: Tegan Farnsworth & Nairi Nahabedian
2022-2023
2022-2023
National School Choral Award: Sawyer Reeder & Roselyn Vera
Rookie of the Year: Tegan Farnsworth & Moira Jordan
Most Improved: Brandon Morris & Cole Coyner
Outstanding Performer: Gabriella Bryan & Marimar Ilias
2021-2022
2021-2022
National School Choral Award: Mariah Young & Riley Coyner
Rookie of the Year: Elizabeth Gose
Most Improved: Renee Morales
Outstanding performer: Roselyn Vera
2020-2021
2020-2021
National School Choral Award: Paige Goldman & Chevelle Zeek
Rookie of the Year: Elizabeth Mihatov
Most Improved: Savannah Stewart
Outstanding performer: Anastasia Brown
2019-2020
2019-2020
National School Choral Award: Rebecca "Jade" Cormode & Emmie Johnston
Rookie of the Year: Mia Sadowski, Aryan Rijal
Most Improved: Eren Heurung, Jayla Bratton
Outstanding performer: Madison Trahant, Shayla Williams
2018-2019
2018-2019
National School Choral Award: Angel Barrera & Gwendolyn Armstrong
Rookie of the Year: Annalie Sherman
Most Improved: Jayla Bratton
MVP: Reginald Whigham
2017-2018
2017-2018
National School Choral Award: Kylee Wagemaker & Cameron Griffin-Spellman
Rookie of the Year: Chevelle Zeek
Most Improved: Joshua Alamillo
Outstanding Performer: Gwendolyn Armstrong
2016-2017
2016-2017
National School Choral Award: Omar Vasquez & Jennifer "Ten" Parker
Rookie of the Year: Rebecca (Jade) Cormode
Most Improved: Micah Branch
Outstanding performer: Kylee Wagemaker
2015-2016
2015-2016
National School Choral Award: Aneisha John & Omar Napod
Rookie of the Year: Meadow Kepler
Most Improved: Victoria Miller
Outstanding performer: Arianna Blount
Previous National School Choral Award Winners:
2015-2008: Class on Hiatus/Unknown
2007-08: Allesandria Bernardi
2006-07: Colin Sears
2005-06: Elizabeth Diaz
2004-05: Veronica Herrera
2003-04: Katherine Hartman
2002-03: Daniela Flores
2001-02: Sammy Sanchez
BHS Choir 1962 Record
In 1962, the Buena HS Choir made a record that was manufactured by Location Recording Service, a label based out of Hollywood, CA at the time.
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