Traditions abound within arts organizations

Creativity flourishes in not only the art organizations themselves but also the traditions that contribute to the passion and teamwork found in each. From the trembling hands of an energy circle before each drama production, to the laughter and tears found in Band’s senior-hug line, these traditions serve to build the passion, innovation and camaraderie that thrive within these groups.

One of the more iconic traditions in theater is the energy circle where everyone stands together in a circle and holds hands with the person next to them. Starting from one person, everyone squeezes the person’s hand on their right side after feeling a squeeze on their left hand.

“My favorite part of this is that everyone gets together. Even though it’s chaotic, this reminds us we are part of a group, which is comforting and calming [and] it helps to get everyone locked in, [so that] we can perform to our best ability,” senior Ethan Chau said. 

Another important tradition in theater is the senior circle that members participate in at the last show, where underclassmen give small speeches of appreciation to the seniors they are assigned to. 

“It’s nice because in theater, we don’t really have senior nights or anything dedicated specifically to seniors. It was surreal because you don’t really get that much time to express things or realize your effect on people,” drama president, senior Cynthia Santana said. “It’s really a good time for people to realize how much they are appreciated and loved and the impact that they are leaving behind,”

To incorporate the freedom of music expression during jazz band performances, members purposely pair formal clothes with colorful ties and informal shoes such as sneakers or even bunny slippers.

“Jazz is unlike classical music where they expect everyone to wear nice suits. It’s a little more informal and so dressing in a more semi-formal way makes it fun and it helps us feel more relaxed, like we’re just having fun with music,” marching band head drum major, senior Markus Truong said.

For every competition, a video encompassing the hard work over the weeks of preparation is shown. 

“I think it motivates us. It shows that the hard work we put in bears fruit which helps us perform better. It’s been one of the most memorable traditions I can remember all the way back to my sophomore year, being able to watch these videos and getting emotional remembering all the good times, especially my last video of my senior year,” Truong said.

Senior hug line is another tradition that takes place during band senior night, where all the seniors stand in a line and receive hugs from their underclassmen.

“Honestly, I didn’t think I would cry, and I thought it was going to be just fun seeing people who are usually not emotional get emotional, in a sweet way. But when one of my closer friends got to me, she was crying, which made me cry too,” head uniform committee, senior Reece Devera said. “A lot of the practices can get hard sometimes, but I think these traditions make it [all] worth it, especially all the friendships I’ve built” 

In Color Guard, friendships and unity are fostered through gifting in a tradition known as secret sisters and a routine including a team chant before each competition. 

 “I think secret sisters help us bond more; it helped me get to know the team better since we get to read a list of their likes and dislikes. I feel like receiving a little gift before competition gets our mind off of stressing over the competition,” junior varsity Color Guard flag junior Paulina Moysen said. 

Before each competition, everyone on the colorguard team does a chant while standing in a line. While one coach sprays a certain perfume on everyone the other coach taps the shoulders of each girl. 

“Our routine before each performance [is] important because it brings a lot of energy, and the perfume is special, especially since that perfume brand was discontinued. It helps us to shift into a winning mindset, and when we do the chant, we shout it out really loudly which helps to relieve all of that tension and to boost team morale,” Color Guard co-captain, senior Katelyn Chen said.

Traditions in choir include singing “Silent Night” together at the beginning of the year, toasting with apple cider before the last Spring Pops concert and being paired up with a year-long choir sibling. 

“It’s the best part of choir. I love performing and everything, but I also love being a part of something with people that I love to be with, and knowing that you’re upholding traditions [which] have been passed along through the years is really cool,” Rhapsody vice president junior Kathryn Montoya said.