Whether it’s in Spanish, Italian, French or even Latin, singing breaks through language barriers. Many school choirs and students perform in a variety of languages. Not only are Menlo students showcasing their musical talents in different tongues, but they are also celebrating the very cultures that make up their own community.
Junior Claire Barnett has years of experience singing in languages other than English. “I started when I was really young because I used to do classical singing competitions that required a song in another language, so I would do a lot of Spanish art songs,” Barnett said. Having attended a Spanish immersion elementary school, Barnett chose to sing in Spanish because she was well-versed in the language.
Although sophomore and avid singer Vivian Sun took it upon herself to sing in different languages only eight months ago, she has already learned to perform songs in Italian and French. “I just recently went to a competition for classical voice, but it was more for the overall experience because I am still a bit of a beginner,” Sun said.
The Menlo student choirs, led by vocal teacher Marie Finch, also have experience singing in alternate languages. They are currently working with Latin and English teacher Tom Garvey to practice the pronunciation of a piece in Latin titled “Lux.” They are also learning songs from the musical “Les Misérables” in French, the original language of the show.
Students have gained an appreciation for singing in different languages because it can provide a window into other cultures. “Performing in other languages really opens up a new world of music,” Barnett said. “Every language and culture has their own style that they’ve developed. When you lean into other languages, you get to experience something completely new.”
Sun appreciates singing in other tongues because she has grown as a performer and singer. “I learned a lot about how to convey emotion in songs because, in English, it’s easier not to think about the meanings of the words,” Sun said. “When you purposely translate a song into your fluent language, it gives more emotion and meaning to the performance.”
Finch was inspired to have students perform in different languages because her choir students speak and study languages other than English. “I thought, ‘Why don’t we use the languages we know and study at Menlo?’ I want everyone to feel like these languages are attainable and approachable, never scary to sing in,” Finch said.
Some are excited to indulge in their own culture and share it with the community as well. Finch speaks German and explained that it is a beautiful language to sing in, even though it may have a reputation for sounding harsh.
Similarly, Sun would also like to explore singing in a language that she has a personal connection to. “I am Chinese and would like to learn some Chinese songs,” Sun said. “It is still hard for me to grasp the meaning because it’s not my first language.”
Though learning to sing in other languages is rewarding, it has its own set of challenges. Both Finch and Barnett agreed that mastering the pronunciation of words is the most difficult part of learning a song in an unfamiliar language. “My hope is that we do it justice and that it is fully correct. I chose to do songs in Latin and French because of the experts we have here at Menlo School,” Finch said.
Despite the challenges of mastering pronunciation and understanding the context of a song in a foreign language, singing in other languages certainly has its benefits. From helping performers connect with different emotions to learning more about other cultures, music truly is a universal language that can bring the Menlo community closer together.
