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Milly Mora Zarco 0:00
We have a singing gram for Mia Cortez from anonymous.
Choir 0:06
“Shooby doo wop, shooby doo wop, shooby dooby doo dooby doo wop, shooby doo wop, shooby doo wop, shooby dooby doo wop.”
Ja’Nyah Villa 0:19
Every year, dating back to the mid-2010s, the West Chicago Community High School acapella chamber choir has run around the school performing songs like “Build Me Up Buttercup” and “My Girl” to spread joy during the season of love.
Brandon Fantozzi 0:31
Was my idea, but they were once I talked about it, they were really interested.
Ja’Nyah Villa 0:37
WEGO’s choir director, Brandon Fantozzi, said. Purchasable for $3 a song, Valentine’s grams allow students and teachers to pick songs that the choir will perform for a special someone, whether that be a friend, lover, or just a teacher.
The songs include “My Girl,” “Build Me Up Buttercup,” “Goodnight, Sweetheart,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” and “Stand by Me.” Some of these are customizable, and this year the choir sang “My Beal” multiple times to science teacher Robert Beal, as purchased by students.
Catherine Foos 1:07
My name is Catherine Foos. I’m a sophomore, and I sing soprano one.
Ja’Nyah Villa 1:13
How has Valentine’s grams been going so far for you?
Catherine Foos 1:16
It’s really fun, but it gets a little boring with repeating the same songs, and also it feels so long, like only being in like first period, I was like, wow, we’ve sung like 10 Songs already. This is a lot the Valentine
Ja’Nyah Villa 1:29
Singing grams gained a lot of positive traction when they were first pitched and performed. At that time, the school didn’t have a den period — a daily student support and enrichment block built into the schedule — so students had to sing all day without a break.
Choir students, directed by senior Milly Mora Zarco, sing up to 80 grams with a lunch break during den. Fantozzi explains that singing grams were wildly successful the first couple of years that they were introduced.
So grams are usually pretty successful. Was there a time when they weren’t purchased that much?
Brandon Fantozzi 2:03
Not really. I think the biggest hit probably was right after covid, really, the first year we did it. The first couple years it was wildly successful. We had to split the choir into two.
Ja’Nyah Villa 2:20
Many choir students expressed how exhausting singing grams can be, but that seeing everyone’s reactions to the music is worth the sore feet and tired voices.
Jayden Morales 2:30
My name is Jaden Morales. I sing baritone bass and I’m a junior.
Ja’Nyah Villa 2:35
What has been your favorite part about doing Valentine’s grams?
Jayden Morales 2:40
I really like seeing the reactions people have to songs, like the faces they make when they hear certain songs, especially when it’s directed towards them. They feel so they look so happy, and it kind of makes me happy in the same way. Obviously they’re a little embarrassed, but I think it’s really cute how people enjoy themselves when someone does something for them.
Choir 3:00
“Don’t break my, Don’t break my heart. I’ll be over at 10. You tell me time and again. But you’re late. I’ll wait around, and then I’ll run to the door. I can’t take anymore. It’s not you mix a crop. You let me down again. Hey, hey, hey.”
