The Many Faces of a Singer

This week, I attended my last Foothill High choir concert. That is, my last concert as a performer.

I've only been in choir for one year, but I've spent four years in a club called Jazz Singers, thus performing at least one song every semester.

It was odd to see my peers receive awards and serenade on stage one last time, and for me to do the same. But what made me laugh a bit and sort of forget the bittersweetness of the whole night was something my friend sitting next to me mentioned. She commented on the different faces that people make when they sing. It's kind of funny, kind of cute and really interesting. 

While everyone who sings has their own unique facial expressions, these are the most common:

• Hopeful: The lyrics and hidden meanings behind many choir songs are deep and inspiring. Fittingly, plenty of singers sing as if they are striving for something more, learning a bit as they sing. These singers often look inspiring themselves and watching them perform their tunes is something to look forward to.
• Concentrating/Serious: Don’t get these singers confused with those who express no emotion. No, these singers take singing seriously. Sometimes their tunes and notes look calculated and formulaic, but that could also mean they are the most accurate singers of the entire group.
• Sad: Singers who sing with a sad look on their face the whole time can be confusing. Sometimes they look like they’re sympathizing with a sad song, but other times, it’s as if they are perpetually sad, making something melancholy out of any song meaning.
• Pure joy: Some people mask their nervousness with a smile on their faces, and others smile when they sing just because they can. Regardless, singers who sing with expressions of pure joy are fun to watch and tend to correct any mistakes easily with their easygoing smiles. Sometimes they look cheesy, but for the most part, these singers seem like they’re having a fun time.
• Expressionless: And of course, some people just show absolutely no emotion when they sing. At first, you think these people are sad, but when they sing the sad songs, their expressions never change. It's hard to figure out how these people feel about what they're singing - it's a mystery!