Top score by the Women’s Ensemble wins Mayfield national recognition
The Mayfield Women’s Ensemble, under the direction of Andrew Alvarez, has joined an elite strata of nationally recognized choirs after earning the top score at the prestigious Festival of Gold choir competition in Washington, D.C.
What made the win all the more meaningful is that our four-year-old, 27-member choir competed against seven of the most well-known, powerhouse high school choirs in the country, each with 250 to 400 members. Their students have multiple vocal coaches, intense audition requirements and cases full of trophies.
“What is remarkable is that our small school, whose choir members have rigorous academic loads and many other activities in their schedules, can perform at this high level,” Alvarez said. “What it speaks to is how very hard our students work and how much they pour themselves into singing.”
It also speaks to the skills of Alvarez, whose impeccable ear for music and exacting standards of performance have elevated the choir to unprecedented heights at Mayfield.
What’s more, the girls love it. The choir is a tight group of friends who not only sing together, but socialize with each other, rehearse in small groups occasionally during summer and have enjoyed special bonding retreats.
Senior students Clare Henderson Pendergast '16, Victoria Paz '16 and Camille Arboles '16 are proud to call themselves “first-generation Alvarez,” the three choir members who were freshmen when Alvarez started at Mayfield in 2012, introducing a mainly classical repertoire to the Vocal Conservatory.
At the senior farewell concert the girls presented their director with a poster of their favorite so-called Alvarez-ism: “Excuses are pillars of mediocrity that lead to monuments of nothing.”
“It’s so hilarious, so Mr. Alvarez and so high stakes, we will never forget it,” said Cami Arboles '16.
Clare Henderson Pendergast '16 said that even after winning a national choir competition, Mr. Alvarez is already planning even more difficult music for next year.
“He is helping us reach our full potential and helping us achieve at the highest level,” Henderson Pendergast said. “I know if I can achieve this much in choir, I can only imagine what I can do in the rest of my life. He is the most dedicated teacher ever.”
At the WorldStrides Festival of Gold in Washington, D.C. in April the Mayfield Women’s Ensemble earned the highest score of the eight participating choirs at the invitation-only competition.
Three judges scored Mayfield at 99+, 97 and 95, with a final score of 97. One of the choir directors from a top school described our students as “stunning” and Mayfield received the only standing ovation at the final concert.
“The judges noted the musicality of our choir as well and the diversity, style and color of each of our pieces,” Alvarez said.
The second place school, West Orange High School of Winter Garden, Florida received a 96.33 score. Alvarez said this choir is generally held out as the national gold standard for high school choir excellence.
So what does this all mean for the Mayfield Women’s Ensemble?
“We keep raising the bar higher,” Alvarez said.
Listen to their winning performance in its entirety, just like the judges heard it at the Strathmore Music Center in Washington, D.C. (Singing begins at around 0:40 into the track.)
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Women's Ensemble prepares for the Festival of Gold
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Established in 1931, Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women grades 9-12. Noted for its rigorous academic program, which includes 28 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, Mayfield’s curriculum is underscored by a philosophy of educating the “whole child,” which also encourages commitment to and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service and spiritual growth. The nurturing environment at Mayfield Senior School allows each student to flourish in an atmosphere of personal attention.
