PaliHi Teacher Elson Preaches to the Choir

When the Palisadian-Post caught up with Palisades High School music teacher Josh Elson, he was about to embark on a Memorial Day weekend trip to the Bay Area with his 30-plus concert choir students.   ’We’re very excited about the trip,’ Elson said. ‘The students did all of the fundraising, through bake sales and putting on an additional concert. This is our first trip. I don’t think Pali Choir has ever been on tour before.’   Elson, 34, is reaping the results of his hard work since arriving on campus in August 2006, after receiving a master’s degree in choral conducting at Cal State Northridge.   ’The choral program was nonexistent when I came,’ said Elson, who set about creating awareness for his new elective by walking around campus and passing out fliers. ‘By the end of October, I had about 45 kids, split between two classes.’   ’It’s been really positive,’ said Elson of his multi-tiered choir program. ‘The quality has improved over time.’   In addition to teaching Advanced Orchestra, Beginning Choir, Advanced Concert Choir, and a history class on world music, Elson also conducts what he call the ‘A.M. Orchestra,’ a volunteer class that begins at 7 a.m., before the school day.   A singer himself (as well as a piano and guitar player), Elson has been involved with the last three spring musicals. ‘I started with ‘Once On This Island,’ then worked on ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ and ‘Honk.” Along the way, he collaborated with wife Mollie on a production of their own: daughter Magnolia, who is now 16 months old. Once in the Bay Area over Memorial Day weekend, the PaliHi Choir performed a 90-minute mix of Italian a cappella, Brahms, contemporary French pieces, the Harry Belafonte tune ‘Turn the World Around,’ the ‘Spring Awakening’ number ‘I Believe,’ and an original written by Elson titled ‘Crossroads,’ which he describes as a reflective song written with commencement in mind.   ’The choir will be performing at various places in San Francisco: in the East Bay, at a church, at a retirement center and at Fisherman’s Wharf,’ Elson said before leaving for Northern California. ‘Since this is the first trip of this kind, all the students and the parents are very excited and enthusiastic.’   Next up: the PaliHi Choir will perform in Mercer Hall on Tuesday, June 2, at 7 p.m. The suggested donation is $5-$10.   The choir will also take part in a broader concert involving Pali-Hi’s entire music department at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, featuring music from such films as ‘Fantasia,’ ‘Forrest Gump’ and ‘Lord of the Rings.’