Sequim High School broke down the walls of competition June 1-2 to perform with Port Angeles High School's choir.

The Sequim High School Select Choir joined all three of Port Angeles' choirs to sing the Vivaldi "Gloria," a 77-page choral piece written in 12 sections.

"We were a little bit nervous," said Sequim student Desiree Robinson.

"Normally there is a rivalry between us in sports, but everyone was really nice."

Eighty students sang and eight string players accompanied the group.

Port Angeles High School Choir director Jolene Gailey led the "Gloria" and said the concert might be the first time the two schools have teamed.

"This is the first time in my five-year tenure we have sung together," said Stephanie Clark, Sequim High School choir director.

Gailey had talked to her about performing together years before but it wasn't until February that the

idea came to fruition,

Clark said.

For almost two months, the students practiced in their regular classes learning the material.

"When I handed them the booklet, they gasped," Clark said.

"Seventy-seven pages in seven weeks is a lot to learn."

The first time the two groups brought the whole piece together was hours before their first performance on June 1.

"I thought we blended really well together," said Sequim choir student Jessica Lauritzen.

"Tonight was an unbelievably magical experience," Clark said.

"When I heard them today, I had to sit down and take it all in."

The first performance was held in Sequim High School auditorium.

Ashley Birdsall, Breanna Krumpe and Andrew King performed solos, and Stephanie Dunbar and Krumpe sang a duet.

Seventeen graduating seniors from Sequim were honored for their years in Sequim schools' choirs.

The following night, the choirs sang "Gloria" in Port Angeles High School's auditorium.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.