The debate about whether choir is an art or just another elective often boils down to personal perception. To some, the choir may seem like a mere filler — a class to take if one enjoys singing but doesn’t quite know where else to go, or just an easy A. But to those more intrinsically pushed to the art and deeply involved, choir is more than just an academic choice; it’s a living art form that requires deep emotional and physical investment. It’s a place where vocal cords become instruments and raw feelings are transformed into harmonies that resonate long after the final note.

As students progress in their vocal training, choir becomes less of a simple hobby and more of a dedicated practice that demands both skill and passion. “Singing with vocal range takes talent,” said Logan Amavisca, underscoring the misconception that singing comes naturally to all in the choir, and demands little to no practice. The reality is, that vocal mastery takes time, effort, and a community that pushes each other toward excellence.

For choir students, especially those in competitive programs, the commitment goes beyond regular rehearsals. “It’s a full-time commitment… you have to devote your whole life to choir,” said Ayoub, someone who is friends with many choir members at Wilsonville High. “It’s like all or nothing.” Choir students often dedicate endless hours to perfecting their pieces for competitions, festivals, and performances. These events serve as both a showcase of their work and a testament to the work ethic within their group. “When State comes around, we have to work so hard to prepare for competitions and festivals. The community is amazing, we’re all so goofy, and it’s just so fun,” added Jaydin Phillips, a member of Symphonic Choir.

Additionally, the choir proceeds beyond those who perform, touching the hearts of many listeners. Students at Wilsonville who have attended a performance amplify the beauty of the art, awestruck by their peers’ raw and authentic talent. Students note the strenuous amounts of effort required to produce such a beautifully blended chorus of voices and admire the production. Sophomore Shae echoes this trend when she says, “They’re so talented. You don’t realize how much work they put in until they like to pull choir performances together and stuff.”  

Yes, the art form is powerful, however, the beauty emphasized by many at Wilsonville is the prosperous and inviting community found within the elective. Many students describe choir as a family, a group of individuals who spend countless hours together honing their craft. “Choir is a really big group of people that over the course of the year, become your family. You spend almost every day with them, putting in a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to create beautiful music,” said Joslin Jones, who has experienced firsthand that the friendships forged in the choir are among the strongest. The shared experiences — from early-morning rehearsals to late-night performances — build many bonds that exceed mere collaboration.

In a high school setting, where fitting in can be a challenge for many, the choir offers an environment that is exceedingly inclusive and accepting, offering a place for all. “The community is very supportive, very accepting,” said Kaden Allen, another choir student. “It builds friendships and gives you a great chance to build a community around a shared interest.”

Mrs. Bohart enforces a community in which everyone is not only included but also wanted and needed, opening a spot for all participants to feel at home. She states, “Everybody’s got a voice. We’re out doing outreach in the community and singing in places where music is needed and can touch people’s lives.” Her passionate outlook results in a subsequent draw to invite kids in, noting the importance of an expansive community that can go out and bring joy to an audience. 

Yet, even within this inclusive environment, there are still stigmas to confront. One of the most common misconceptions is the notion that choir is a predominantly female activity, leaving boys who want to participate feeling hesitant. “A lot of people think that choir is only made up of girls,” said Caralyn Luplow, a choir member at Wilsonville. “But when we have as many boys as we do in our choir, we consider ourselves lucky.” Despite this, the stigma of choir being “for girls” often persists, discouraging male students from joining.

The reality of that matter is that choir is in need of all ranges of voices to complete and perfect the choir’s four-part harmony. “What I love about it is harmonies,” Wilsonville’s choir teacher and choral artist, Mrs. Bohart begins. “I love it when students accomplish things that they don’t know they can. Voice is something that everybody has. It’s an instrument if you know how to use it. ” 

Luplow states a weighty truth when stating that they, “consider (themselves) lucky,” when the choir consists of equal parts girls to boys. The balance constructs a delicately intertwined harmony in the way the choir was intended. Unlike some sports that may be unilateral, choir is multilateral,  reliant on participation from all people. 

Another stereotype frequently associated with high school choir is the belief that choir students are self-centered or have inflated egos. “A lot of kids think that choir kids have an ego, and that can be toxic when people like that get in the way,” said Jaydin Phillips. While some may see the confidence that comes with performing in front of an audience as arrogance, for most choir students, it’s a byproduct of the hard work, vulnerability, and dedication that go into each performance.

In reality, choir students are often deeply aware of the teamwork and collective effort required to create harmonious music. They work tirelessly, not only to perfect their individual parts but also to blend seamlessly with their peers. The result is an experience that transcends individual glory. Instead, it becomes a celebration of collaboration and shared achievement.

Even more, many students in choir are accepting towards all, and those in choir note the welcoming environment. Kaden Allen notes this when he says, “The community is very supportive, very accepting. Choir builds friendships and gives you a great chance to build a community around a shared interest.”

Despite the stigma, choir remains one of the most inclusive extracurricular activities available to students. Choir isn’t just for “the talented” or those with previous music experience. Many students who join have little to no experience with reading music or singing in a group, yet they find themselves thriving in the supportive atmosphere of a choir program. “At the start of this year, I didn’t know any music, I’d never done choir before, and I was still able to jump in and get super involved,” said Joslin Jones.

Mrs. Bohart states it best when she says, “We all sing; everybody sings. We all sing whether it’s in our cars listening to music, or during the holidays. Singing is part of our life, it’s part of our culture.” That ingrained passion that may cause people to become enveloped in choir should be pursued due to the choir’s forgiving atmosphere, allowing anyone and everyone to join. 

Choir offers a welcoming space where everyone can try, fail, improve, and grow. However, the misconception that choir is only for “those who can sing” often keeps students from even considering the opportunity. As Caralyn Luplow put it, “Maybe we’re a little bit weird, but we’re glad to be weird; more people should feel free to be themselves.”

While stereotypes about choir may persist, the art form itself continues to offer students a unique space for self-expression, emotional growth, and personal development. The community built within the choir program is not just about making music; it’s about forging lasting relationships and finding a place where individuals can truly be themselves.

In the end, choir is not merely an elective or a high school pastime. It’s an art form that brings people together, helps them grow, and allows them to express emotions and ideas that words alone cannot capture. As students continue to challenge the stereotypes and break down the stigma surrounding high school choirs, they remind us all that art — in all its forms — is a space for everyone, regardless of the labels others might place on us.

Ultimately, the choir is a place where voices unite, not just to create beautiful music, but to form connections that last a lifetime.