The San Francisco Girls Chorus, whose singers appeared in President Obama’s inauguration last winter, is a beloved institution. The Chorus has been prominent in the music world for over 30 years. The Chorus educates girls and young women ages 5-18 in musical studies. In 2010 alone they have released multiple records and have won three Grammys. Sophomores Gabi Walter-Clay and Clara Hendrickson sing for the nationally renowned chorus and dedicate many hours per week to the Chorus. We interviewed them separately about time commitment and Urban’s attitude towards art.
Q: When did you start singing in the San Francisco Girls Chorus?
A: Clara Hendrickson: I started when I was eight years old.
Gabi Walter-Clay: I was 7 and a half so it has been 8 and half years.

Q: What made you join?
A: Clara: I had a family friend who sang in chorus and really loved it and my mom just wanted me to audition and see how I liked it.
Gabi: My friend was in it and really liked it.

Q: How much time do you spend per week with the San Francisco Girls Chorus?
A: Clara: I rehearse three times a week from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and once a month we have rehearsal from 9:30 to 4 and sometimes we have extra rehearsals for performances.
Gabi: Every single week is six hours. So it is a huge commitment.

Q: Do you wish you got more recognition for your singing efforts within the Urban community?
A: Clara: Sort of — I mean, it is not like I want to be put on a pedestal for being in such a rigorous organization. I just don’t think people realize sometimes the magnitude of the commitment that I am involved in or just how much it has developed me as a person.

Q: How has it changed you as a person?
A: Clara: Just the fact that I have to rehearse over six to ten hours a week and it just requires so much time (to) spend hours practicing my music. And besides the commitment it developed me into a more thoughtful person. I am not just singing classical music or music from the western world, I’m singing music from ancient Persia; I’m singing songs that were written about Anne Frank’s experience in Nazi Germany. It just helps you connect to different parts of history, and (it) helps you explore the lives of people through such a powerful art form.

Q: What is it like to be in a nationally renowned chorus?
A: Clara: It is incredible. I don’t know. I just cannot even believe the opportunities I have been given and I am only 16 years old. I am always so thankful that I get to be part of such an amazing organization. And I got to sing at the inauguration and Alice Tully Hall, and meeting people from all over the world and recording with the San Francisco Symphony, getting Grammys. It’s incredible.
Gabi: I don’t know, it doesn’t really feel like we are internationally renowned because we rehearse every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in the same place, and we have a lot of performances and opportunities, like the inauguration for example. It doesn’t really feel like we are internationally renowned until someone says it. I really like when visitors come from other countries and listen to us.
San Francisco Boys and Girls Chorus perform at President Obama\’s inauguration ceremony

Q: What do you want the Urban community to know about the chorus?
A: Clara: I think the fact that it is just a huge commitment, I spend so much time and so much energy working with the Chorus. People just have such a negative look and perspective of classical music and choral singing and I want people to know that it is not bad or cheesy opera; it is really beautiful and cool. I wish people were more willing to accept that.
Gabi: They’re awesome! I guess that’s it. As I said before maybe we should give more info. Its pretty much an acquired taste because it is a classical music, but we work really hard.

Q: Do you wish there was a way to share your singing abilities with the community other than the school chorus and the talent shows?
A: Clara: Yeah, I mean I have always felt that talent shows have had such a negative vibe around them, people are always judgmental and trying to be funny and people do not always listen or take them seriously. So I wish there was more of an open space, almost an open mic for singing.
Gabi: I feel like there needs to be more support within the community before we can get the point when people actually feel comfortable to just go up and do whatever. Maybe like a poetry slam/singing sess(ion). I feel like there is a lot of people who are talented who lurk in the shadows.
San Francisco Girls Chorus performs Ave Maria

Q: Anything else you want the Urban Community to know about the Chorus?
A: Clara: Chorus is kind of a little bit like a cult. There are so many weird things. Basically you have levels one, two, three and four and depending on whether you are ready you will be promoted. Then in Level four you have to take a qualifying exam and singing test and then a repertoire evaluation and if you do well on all and they feel you are ready you will graduate from the chorus school. Then you can take the next step and audition for (the) Chorissma (Group). After your sophomore year in high school you laureate, which is sort of like graduation, but it’s basically saying you have completed your time in chorus and you can leave now and join a different singing group. But there is also an Alum Chorus that you can join.

Purchase the San Francisco Girls Chorus latest CD, Heaven and Earth, here.