By Paris Mabato

By Reign Querido

“Mic check, 1, 2, 3. Mic check, 1, 2, 3!”

The mic echoes. It stands readily in front of the audience, its silver handle glinting, the power turned on. It picks up on the murmurs of those who sit before it, the hushed practices of the hosts for the next segment, and the quiet nervousness of the performers lined up. A mic doesn’t just speak, it has no mind of its own. It stands in front of the stage for the sole purpose of one thing — to echo the voices of those who wish to be heard. The mic always hears the voices of others, but this time, it wants to hear the voices of those who do what they love with glee.

The Glee Club serves as the contemporary vocal group of Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS). In every rehearsal, every event, and even in the corners of one’s bedrooms, the mic amplifies the Glee Club’s passion to showcase their symphony through singing. With performances in ShoSem, Duffy-Delaney Day, and even last year’s fairs, they offer nothing but angelic flows of music. Ranging from altos to sopranos, bass to tenors, it’s their harmony of voices that scratches the cacophony of worries every ASHS student faces when in front of the mic. Through Glee, you can get your rhythm.

Get Rhythm in Rehearsals

“[B]efore anything else, we make sure to have a quick kamustahan because we believe that our members’ well-being always comes first.”

This is the atmosphere that welcomes every Glee member during rehearsals — laughter, kamustahans, and joy. Rehearsals in the Glee Club consist of practicing songs in their repertoire for performances in the future. Whether it be for an event for the month, or for a fair with people outside Ateneo, Xoe Chuan, the Org Head, believes that the well-being of her members is the top priority. “Without members who truly enjoy the org, there would be no org to give their best!” While the rhythm of their voices is what they chase for in these rehearsals, it’s the welfare of the club’s members that truly resonates in the walls of the practice room. 

           Chairs are moved as their legs scrape the floor, the sound that officiates the start of the practice. “[W]e might be focusing on basic elements like notes and rhythms, or we could be working on phrasing and expression.” Sir Kelbert Sinfuego, the club moderator, makes sure to focus on the foundation of their rehearsals in these sessions. With his experience in Ateneo College Glee Club, he envisioned the senior high school organization as a place to manage time and achieve goals as a group. With this, he ensures that at least two songs are let out in every practice, keeping his club up to their toes. Like Chuan, he sprinkles a bit of storytelling and conversation because, amidst their notes, it’s in these little moments that truly bring out their voice. 

Practices pass by through time. With quiet and anxious breaths against the mic, rehearsals envelop the silent wonders of every member. In every voice crack and sore throat before the performance, it’s in these moments of doubt that they cycle back to their worries: will the audience like our performance? Will the mic amplify the feeling that we want to share? 

“I sometimes feel worried that we might not deliver the performance our audience expects, but I always remind myself and my fellow members that we have prepared well and that kayang-kaya natin ‘to,” Chuan exclaimed. The mic might seem scary; it may be loud and reverberating, but it’s the members’ preparation and dedication that truly combats these worries. As Chuan says in the practice room, “Kayang-kaya natin ‘to!”

One by one, the mics turn off and are left to wait for the next voice. Each by each, the members go home, and they all rest with the feeling of glee. Rehearsals might be done, but what comes next is what excites them. These practices of the Glee Club aren’t just to prepare them; they’re to heighten their energies and give them the ability to do what they do best: singing. Every note they hold is to find their harmony in performing. 

Find Harmony in Performing

Mumbles, late applause, and the “alrighttttttt” of the hosts are what the mic hears. Events in ASHS don’t just happen to commemorate a celebration; they’re there to illuminate the never-ending talents that every ASHS student holds. As the mic echoes every performance, the Glee Club finds the harmony of one another through their presentation. However, every acapella sought out is a nervous chatter found. 

“[M]ost of the time, I usually feel composed not until when I’m actually at the stage in front of a massive crowd … but I always give my 100% energy and ability,” JJ Manabat, the HR Head, explained. The Glee Club is not exempt from that kabado feeling every time they’re in front of the mic. But as hundreds of eyes watch their every note, their desire to give these ears the best experience from their singing overpowers whatever jittery feeling they face. With that, they start to sing.

The audience goes silent — offering nothing but glinting eyes of amazement that the mic amplifies. It’s the Glee Club’s voices that echo through the stage, but it’s those who sit before them that indulge in every chorus and bridge they sing. Miguel Dulalia, a Dulaang Sibol Member who watched their performance for Alay kay Maria, felt that he could immerse himself in the music by the Glee Club. “The ASHS Glee Club is such a lovely and professional-sounding organization, truly filled with heart.” The heart of Glee certainly pumps out the fervor of their harmony. With or without accompaniment, their impact in every event — through the repeating lyrics on the minds of the audience, or the humming of their newfound tune — shows just how much they leave the audience ringing with awe. The music stops, the song is done, and all that is left are the faces filled with glee.

Quiet exhales and loud applause resounds in the mic. As the members go down the stage and high fives are exchanged, the stage houses their message to the audience — what image do they want Glee to look like from their perspective? “I want us to be recognized for our excellence, not only as a musical group but also for our relevance and contribution to society as a whole.” Their vision, as Sir Kelbert shared, is more than just their versatility. It expresses their drive to redefine what Glee can really do. 

As the event ends and the Glee Club can now freely drink cold drinks, all that’s left is the anticipation of what’s next? The Glee Club wants to continue their consonance of passion wherein every mic held is a dream uplifted. With more practices, vocal rests, and a hundred lozenges, the organization opens its mics to not only amplify their voices, but also raise their stories. Because with every note, it reminds everyone that you can sing with Glee.

Sing with Glee

With every application and audition at the start of the year, the Glee Club invites everyone to hold the mic. Junior or senior, with or without experience, what truly matters is the enthusiasm in singing with glee, with Glee. Lei Pilar, a Grade 11 Glee member, stated how much the Glee Club works hard, not only to improve, but to showcase a performance that every watcher deserves. 

“We’re often reminded by our club mod na not all of us are at the same performing level and there’s still so much work to be done,” Pilar expressed, “That’s why I want non-Glee Members to know that we’re always working hard to be better.” Whether you are at the same level as the musicians you look up to or you’re just starting with karaoke, the club reminds you that you are singing with Glee, and everyone in Glee is there to aid, teach, and help you grow. It’s not just their performances that find harmony, it’s also embedded in the bond between the members that grips the euphonious relationship of Glee as a whole.

Whether you sit in the blue monoblocks or stand with your face against the mic, the Glee Club calls you to simply enjoy. This enjoyment is what keeps the organization intact, and it wants to show you the notes that make up the chord of their story. As an Org Head, Chuan believes that a positive internal environment is reflected in performances that the audience will enjoy. “We value not only our members and the organization itself but also those who watch us — we want to make their time watching us worthwhile!” As time progresses from the performances to the cadence of every org meeting, Lexie De Leon, a Grade 11 member, also believes that Glee is the place where music and singing come together — an organization that will live on for years. Every vocal technique practiced is a genre being evolved and adapted. Glee will keep on showing what they have and what they hold as a family. 

Glee is always open. Whether you have the passion at hand or you’re still waiting for a mic to be handed to you, Glee is always there to amplify your story. Sir Kelbert himself believes that in Glee, there is growth. “For me, that balance between doing good music and helping people grow is what truly matters to Glee,” he exemplified. With Glee, there are people around you who can support you in your high notes and support you as a person. The club isn’t just there to sing for events, to do acapella music, or to reach those high notes. It’s there because it reminds everyone that no matter how high or low, loud or soft, or weak or strong your voice is, there’s a mic waiting just for you.

“Mic check, 1, 2, 3. Mic check, 1, 2, 3!”

The mic echoes. It stands readily in front of the audience, its silver handle glinting, the power turned on. A mic doesn’t just speak, yes, but it’s the instrument to play such a voice. It stands in front of the stage for the purpose of echoing the stories that every tempo holds. The mic always hears the voices of others; anyone can speak and sing beyond it. This time, however, it wants to hear the voices of those who do what they love with Glee. This time, it might be you.