Year after year, the Edina community comes together to see the Edina Concert Choir’s Current Jam performance in mid-May. At Current Jam, audience members are greeted with everything from large group dance numbers to solo acts featuring a live band behind them. But before the audience can even book their tickets, the Concert Choir must prepare for months in advance to pull off such a spectacle.

With song recommendations pitched up to five months before the concert, much of this time is spent trying to find the perfect pieces for the Concert Choir, who must memorize the music before learning choreography in April. “Every song we’re doing came from a student’s suggestion, and then it’s my job to figure out what’s the best combination of songs so that there’s a good variety and they’re not all the same genre,” Concert Choir Director Christopher Piela said. “Ultimately it’s a variety show, so we want all different types of music.”

In addition to learning many group songs for the concert, some students choose to go above and beyond and be part of special acts. “You just have to put in a lot more time because there’s no teacher help with the special act. It’s student-run 100%,” Concert Choir senior Hawa Kane said. “You really have to want it.” 

Despite its long rehearsal process, Current Jam remains a favorite amongst the students who help bring it to life. “It’s a lot more fun because it’s a different experience compared to [other concerts throughout the year],” Kane said. “It shows our fun side. We’re not just boring, we don’t wear robes all the time.”

This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on April 18, 2024