The 2024-25 school year may be ending, but the memories made by the Miami Senior High choir are still strong. Choir director Ms. Cid looked back at the year with pride as she talked about all the hard work, fun, and success her students experienced.
“It started off great,” said Ms. Cid. “Lots of students were coming back, and lots of students were new.” She explained that every year brings new faces, returning talent, and new opportunities for learning.
The choir didn’t just work hard—they also achieved a lot. One of the biggest highlights was their performance back in December at Disney’s Candlelight event. Also, the men’s choir earned a State Superior rating in April for the first time ever, which was also the first time any choir from the school reached that level since 2022. “That’s a big deal,” Ms. Cid said proudly.
In total, the choir earned five Superiors with Distinction—an impressive number that showed just how much effort and talent the group has. These awards weren’t easy to get and were the result of months of practice, teamwork, and dedication.
Even with all the choir’s success, the year still came with some challenges. One of the biggest was keeping students motivated, but as the year went on, things began to change. Students started to understand that choir wasn’t just a class—it was something meaningful. They started to take pride in what they were doing and worked even harder.
This year’s senior class stood out in a big way. Ms. Cid recognized the Class of 2025 for their leadership and good character. She especially appreciated the students who had been in choir for all four years—dedicated members who helped guide others and stayed committed through every performance and rehearsal: Ashlyn Gomez, Maximus Moranvalle, Hazel Morgan, Isabella Yera, David Arrieta, Daniel Suarez, and Diana Aguila
During the summer break, the choir is still active. Ms. Cid shared that there will be a chorus camp, usually held in late July. This camp focuses on building leadership, practicing music, and helping new students get ready for the school year.
Looking ahead, the choir has exciting plans. They will try out for Disney’s Candlelight again and are planning a spring trip—possibly to New Orleans or Boston. “I’m working on pricing that out,” said Ms. Cid.
A new school musical is also in the works, though the exact show hasn’t been chosen yet. These events give students a chance to perform, travel, and grow their skills in new ways.
Throughout the year, the choir took part in five big group events: the caroling competition in December, district solo and ensemble in February, state solo and ensemble in April, and both district and state choral assessments in March. Students also had the chance to try out for individual honors like All-County, All-State, and even international music programs.
Next year, Ms. Cid is also thinking about adding a smaller competition for beginners. This would let new students perform without as much pressure.
When asked about her goals for the year, Ms. Cid said they were simple: help students learn, enjoy making music, and feel connected to what they’re doing. “This year was phenomenal,” she said. Looking at everything the choir has done—from top awards to emotional performances—it’s clear that those goals were met.
For students who aren’t in choir yet, Ms. Cid hopes they’ll consider joining. “A lot of people think, ‘I don’t know how to sing,’ but you can learn,” she said. She believes that trying something new can help students grow, not just musically, but personally too. Being part of choir helps students become more confident, make new friends, and be part of something fun and exciting.
Out of all the performances this year, the one that meant the most to Ms. Cid was the spring concert in May. She said it showed how much each choir group had grown. From beginner students singing pop songs with a drum set to more advanced groups using a new sound system and singing harder music, the concert had something special for everyone.
“It was just elevated music,” she said. “We rose to a new level.”
