By Sydnie Parker

The holidays are a time to spread cheer, give gifts, be thankful, and consume large amounts of holiday food.
Along with the holidays comes the annual choir field trip in San Francisco.
This year, the Cal High choir will be caroling on Wednesday.
“The caroling trip in San Francisco is my favorite trip,” said junior choir member Aminah White.
Cal High’s madrigal and chamber choirs have been going to San Francisco to carol every year since 1999 after choir teacher Lucerne Mottaz saw a San Francisco Chamber of Commerce advertisement looking for high school choirs to perform in the city.
The choirs showcase their talent for the entire city to hear by performing at high traffic areas such as the Embarcadero, Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, and Union Square.
“It’s really a great way for these kids, through community service, to share their love of music,” said Mottaz.
It seems as though people from around the world really enjoy the choir performances.
Tourists from all different nationalities have approached the choir in years past. In the small amount of English they know, they try to convey to them how much they enjoyed their singing.
The students also get their fair share of free goodies from the locals, such as hot cocoa at Ghirardelli Square from appreciative shopkeepers.
“I enjoy sharing the Christmas spirit through music with the people of San Francisco,” said junior Nicoli Trefil, who is attending the choir trip for the third time.
Besides singing great holiday songs and sharing the Christmas spirit, the choir also doesn’t have to sit in boring classes. Instead they get to participate in activities such as ice skating, shopping at the extensive Westfield mall and eating good food at Pier 39.
“My favorite part is eating donuts and crepes on Pier 39, and holding hands with my choir family,” said junior Stephanie Shaw.
The choir also gets to ride through the city and sing Christmas carols on streetcars, which causes a bit of commotion.
“People crowd the street car and the driver gets annoyed and has to ring his bell,” said Mottaz.
The choir trip also offers a great opportunity for the choir members to bond and become a tight knit choir family.
“It is a fun experience where you get to bond with other choir members, and gets close with everyone on the trip,” said Nicoli.