Newbury Park High School's Choral Music Department closed out its season last week with an emotionally charged concert of pop standards and show tunes that proved to be fulfilling for all, even those not related to someone on stage.

The concert consisted of three sections: the Panther Chamber Singers, a selection of solos and small ensembles, and finally, the entire concert choir.

The concert began with the 44 members who make up the Panther Chamber Singers. The Mexican folk song "La Bamba" is not something you would expect to hear at a choral concert, but its several overlapping countermelodies made for a lovely rendition, arranged by the late Mexican organist and choir composer Ramon Noble.

Other songs in this opening segment included arrangements of the 1972 pop hit "A Horse with No Name" (America), the bossa nova anthem "The Girl from Ipanema," Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini's "Moon River" and a delightful medley from Stephen Schwartz's score for "Wicked."

Following this was a selection of solo and small ensemble works from Broadway and film scores, performed mostly by the school's graduating seniors, some of whom were featured performers in the department's recent production of "Bye, Bye Birdie."

Although space prevents the acknowledgment of all of the soloists, special mention should be made of a few: Jeremy Hanna's rendition of "I've Gotta Be Me" from "Golden Rainbow" (popularized by Sammy Davis Jr.), Kayla Kennedy's sweet soprano version of the Josh Groban megahit "You Raise Me Up" and Beki DeCuir's bravura performance of the suggestive "When You're Good to Mama" from "Chicago." Ryan Spindel, who wowed "Birdie" audiences with his wacky portrayal of Harry MacAfee, sang Stephen Schwartz's "Corner of the Sky" from "Pippin," accompanied by his father, Scott, on guitar.

Probably the most poignant performance was of "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" from the animated Disney film "Cinderella," sung by Strictly Anonymous, a female quartet, with its members barefooted and wearing sweatshirts from the colleges they will be attending in the fall.

The only fault with the show was the mike placement during the soloandsmallensemble segment. The stationary stand mikes, appropriate to classical performances, nevertheless restricted the students from using their acting talents on many of the numbers, especially the characterdriven ones like "When You're Good to Mama."

In addition, on duets, the mike stands were placed 10 feet apart on opposite ends of the stage, which prevented duet partners from interacting with each other. This was most apparent on Jacquelin Rosenthal and Kevin Baldwin's otherwise fabulous performance of "Go the Distance" from "Hercules," which would have been enhanced had handheld mikes been used.

The final segment, involving the complete choir, was highlighted by Ilana Grossman's moving solo on "The Song of Purple Summer" from "Spring Awakening" and a powerful rendering of the gospel-like "The Gods Love Nubia," from the musical "Aida," by Elton John and Tim Rice.

During the final song, Raymond Hannisian's "Movin' On" (which the choir traditionally sings as its last piece of the year), choral music director John Sargent called the names of the 40 graduating seniors, with each coming forward to embrace him in thanks.

By the end of the song, many students were crying or holding hands in the realization that this was the last time they would be performing together.

There was a true and real emotional bond among the students. It is gratifying that in these critical high school years, Sargent is able to cultivate the love for music, camaraderie and support these students obviously felt for each other and for him.