The varsity chamber choir, men’s and women’s choir competed at the Greater Southwest Music Festival May 5 and won best men, woman and overall choir.

Each choir scored three outstanding ratings, as well as winning best in class men, women and mixed choir. The choirs competed against about 70 ensembles from elementary through high school groups. Head director Brandon Farren said he entered the contest because he was not yet ready to let go of contest music.

“I wanted another recording with a different feel, so that I could compare the different recordings,” Farren said. “I decided to go ahead and compete one more time to give us a different venue.”

Although the choir performed the same venue as their contest performance, Farren said he changed the approach the choir took on two pieces.

“The Hayden, the classical piece of music, we connected a little more, and we changed the style a little bit,” Farren said. “We also made some changes to our closer, the Alleluia. We added some more glissando, longer movements and slides. It was a slightly different performance from contest to Greater Southwest.”

The trophy won by the best overall choir of the festival stands almost five feet tall, but Farren said he still doesn’t know which choir actually won the award.

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“We got an outstanding for the men, an outstanding for the women and an outstanding for the mixed, so we got three outstanding which is the best you can get,” Farren said. “Then we won best in class men, best in class woman, and best in class mixed, and then one of those choirs won best overall. We don’t know which one, but I think it’s the mixed.”

Farren said even though he loves winning, he finds it fun to put forth his and his students’ work.

“It is great to showcase the incredible work the kids at Canyon High do,” Farren said. “Really, the competition, that’s what it’s all about. I’m just so proud to showcase what our kids do which is beyond any other program.”