Respira preparing to defy gravity at annual choir show

Coppell+High+School+Choir+sings+%E2%80%9CGloria%E2%80%9D+by+Franz+Joseph+Hayden+and+%E2%80%9CThe+Lord+Bless+You+and+Keep+You%E2%80%9D+by+Peter+C.+Lutkin+as+a+finale+at+the+Coppell+Choir+Fall+Concert+on+Tuesday+in+the+CHS+Auditorium.+It+was+the+first+in-person+concert+since+the+Winter+Concert+in+December+2019.+Photo+by+Aliza+Abidi

Aliza Abidi

Coppell High School Choir sings “Gloria” by Franz Joseph Hayden and “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” by Peter C. Lutkin as a finale at the Coppell Choir Fall Concert on Tuesday in the CHS Auditorium. It was the first in-person concert since the Winter Concert in December 2019. Photo by Aliza Abidi

Minnie Gazawada, Staff Writer/Designer

The combination of singing and dancing makes the Respira show choir stand out from the rest. After hosting choir shows virtually, Coppell High School Choir brings the show back to the stage on Friday and Saturday for the annual fall Respira show.

Each year the show revolves around a different theme and this year’s is Broadway. The occasion will focus on four pieces from four different Broadway shows, such as “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked” and “Live in Living Color” from “Catch Me If You Can.”

The Respira is a treble show choir, specifically for fall, composed of singers of the Coppell choir program. The members vary from freshman through senior singers with backgrounds in vocals and dancing. The most important aspect is the commitment of a performer.

“It’s an opportunity for [the] singers to perform pop music,” choir head director Bona Coogle said. “It’s different from our regular choir classes. It’s an outlet for singers who love doing show tunes and another opportunity to perform in front of an audience.”

The Respira show has been an annual tradition in the CHS choir program even before Coogle joined in 2016.

“We want to celebrate their hard work, but it [also brings a] community together. We have invited all of the middle school choir directors and their singers,[ additionally] all of the elementary music teachers.,” Coogle said. “It’s another outlet to share art.”

General admission is $10 and $5 for  Coppell ISD students. Owners of the choir supporter shirt and CISD employees wearing their badges may attend for free.