The James A. Garfield High School Music Department filled the Iva Walker Auditorium with harmony and heart during its 2025 Spring Concert, directed by Mr. Joel Logan and supported by student teacher Ms. Tori Mateos. The evening showcased the strength, spirit, and camaraderie of the school’s premiere vocal ensemble—the Concert Choir.
Mr. Logan welcomed the audience warmly, introducing the concert with “Cantate Domino”, a Latin piece meaning Sing to the Lord a new song.
“Though not every student may be religious necessarily,” he said, “we can celebrate the music that comes from these traditional texts as just being a joyous experience and a joyous song.”
From there, the choir led listeners through a thoughtful and varied setlist. Highlights included the serene “The River Sleeps Beneath the Sky” and the soulful “Count On Me”, arranged by Ms. Mateos and led by sopranos and altos under her direction.
One standout moment came with a barbershop-style rendition of “In the Good Old Summertime”, performed with the help of Mr. Cebulla and honorary choir member Ollie May. Mr. Logan joked:
“Mr. Cebulla and I are trying to very subtly tell everyone what we’re going to do if we both just don’t show up to work one day… We’ll be in Disney trying to be a part of the Dapper Dans.”
The program then shifted to more contemporary emotion with “Rise Up”, featuring soloists Addison Truce, Abygail Seiler, and Hallie Cebulla, whose moving vocals brought a deep emotional resonance to the room.
The Garfield Concert Choir featured a blend of talented voices across all sections:
Sopranos: Lillian Adair, Diamond Dyson, Sierra Foy, Abygail Seiler, Addison Truce, Zoey Zimmerman
Altos: Samantha Barker, Riley Carson, Hallie Cebulla, Remy Ewell, Madison Hayhurst, Alexis Phillips, Olivia Seaborn
Tenors/Basses: Maximus Brewster, Jaxen Cushing, Marshall Dahlen, Wyatt Manista, Quinn Roborecki
Three seniors were recognized for their leadership and dedication—**Abygail Seiler**, Hallie Cebulla, and Marshall Dahlen, each a four-year member of the program.
“All three of them are phenomenal musicians and great people,” said Mr. Logan. “We will desperately miss them next year.”
He then honored Dahlen with the National School Choral Award, the department’s highest vocal honor.
“Marshall is one of the few folks who was able to stay in choir all four years,” Logan noted. “I don’t know if he’s crazy or if he just really likes choir—it’s probably both.”
The night closed with a powerful performance of “From Now On” from The Greatest Showman, featuring Dahlen as soloist. Mr. Logan shared how this song became symbolic for the program during the pandemic:
“Even though we had to be six feet apart, we felt like miles away… but we could get up and sing together.”
The 2025 Spring Concert was more than a show—it was a celebration of connection, resilience, and the joy that music brings to the Garfield community.