Chris Eaton, director of choirs at Highlands High School, opened a school recital and said the event would both showcase student solos and begin fundraising for a choir trip to Chicago planned for May. “No amount is too little,” Eaton told the audience, referring to donation bins placed at the venue.

The program included multiple student solo performances and a chamber-choir preview of pieces scheduled for the school’s Oct. 7 concert, themed “Bach and Rock.” Eaton encouraged attendance at that concert and noted pianist Joe Stevens would perform there as well. The chamber choir performed a version of the Eagles’ “Seven Bridges Road” and sang “Any Dream Will Do” from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as part of the preview.

Eaton said the fundraiser will support field trips and other choir events during the school year; he asked patrons to donate as they mingled after the performance. He also thanked students for preparing solos on short notice early in the school year and asked the audience to speak with performers after the recital.

The event served as an early-season showcase: Eaton described it as a student-driven idea to create more solo opportunities and said it both highlights the department’s repertoire and begins financial support for the Chicago trip. No formal school board actions, motions, or policy decisions were announced at the recital.