Gardena Student Choir Returns for Special Concert

The Gardena High School traveling choir came to Reseda on Thursday to make a joyful noise at Leichman High School.

For the second consecutive year, the students at the special education school celebrated Black History month with a concert.

There was much hand clapping, head bobbing and foot tapping as the crowd got into the spirit of the music.

The multicultural choir sang about the power of love. They sang about joy. They sang about peace. Some audience members danced and hugged each other enthusiastically.

“They sing good,” said Clinton Kortlander, of the 45 vocalists in the traveling choir.

“I’ve been waiting all year for them to come back,” said Judy Hicks, special education assistant.

Since Leichman’s multipurpose center couldn’t hold all 240 students, the group gave both a morning and a post-lunch performance.

Last year, group members wore choir robes and sang traditional gospel songs. This year, they dressed in black, and their repertoire included contemporary music as well as “The Star Spangled Banner.”

The ninth- through 12th-grade Gardena students enjoy the visit so much, five of the singers who graduated last year came back for this concert.

Christal Young, 17, also performed last year and was pleased to be back.

“It’s a wonderful atmosphere,” she said. “The students and teachers get such a thrill from listening, and it’s such a thill to sing for them.”

Jason Burks, 17, has been a member of the choir since it began to take form four years ago as a lunch-hour jam session. He was pleased to be making a contribution.

“These kids are not able to do what we are able to do, so it’s a real blessing to be able to come and give back something,” he said.

There are 70 members of the Gardena choir, which evolved into a regular school class about two years ago. Only those with a C average or better and the approval of all their teachers are allowed to travel, vocal music director Greg Broadous said.

Broadous is the minister of music at Calvary Baptist Church in Pacoima, and it was through a church member whose child attends Leichman that the choir was first invited to perform.

The group is scheduled to perform at Canoga Park High School next week.