Los Angeles

1,000 High School Students Pay Tribute to Prince in Choir Performance

A hastily arranged performance of 'Purple Rain' was added to a previously planned choir concert.

A thousand voices united in song and tribute Friday at the Walt Disney Concert Hall for the Los Angeles Master Chorale High School Choir Festival, where every year students from more than 30 schools across Southern California come together to perform.

With the death of Prince on Thursday, one of the superstar's songs was hastily added to the program.

"The shock is still overwhelming for us, but we thought, 'How can we share our love for him and create a meaningful tribute?'" said Grant Gershon, Artistic Director for LA Master Chorale

These students weren't born when "Purple Rain" was released, so Gershon and guest conductor Tesfa Wondemagegnehu were shocked to discover most of the students already knew the lyrics.

"It's timeless. 1980, 2016, it doesn't matter. Prince's music will live on and the legacy," Wondemagegnehu said.

They've been rehearsing for this concert for four months, but they had a only a few hours Friday morning to practice the tribute to Prince.

"The music just kind of flowed through my body. I liked that," said Erik Romero of Lakewood High School.

"Having so much of the younger generation come together and to sing his songs, it's empowering," said Breanna Ganther of Birmingham High School.

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