Shreya Pattangi

Name: Shreya Pattangi

Hobby: singing

Inspiration: current choir director Toni Ugonlini

Future college: Baylor University or Northwestern

Wingspan: So how long have you been singing for?

Pattangi: “Choir music I started singing in my choir in ninth grade and I’ve also been singing Indian Carnatic music since I was five. My parents wanted me to be able to express myself by placing myself in something, and music was a good outlet for that so I started it, ended up loving it, and just kind of stuck with it.”

Wingspan: What’s your favorite genre to sing?

Pattangi: “That’s hard, I like to sing everything. I like Carnatic a lot, but specifically for choral music I like singing songs from the Baroque period.”

Wingspan: Tell us about your most recent experience with being an All-State finalist.

Pattangi: “All-region [the precursor to All-State] was busy because you learn so many pieces in such a short amount of time. And you have to sing them with an edge over everyone else. It was new to me because I’ve never sang choral music like this before. I’ve kind of used my style of singing Carnatic, but now I sort of have had to adopt more of an opera style when I sing. State was also amazing. I think just being there and listening to everyone around me taught me a lot of how I can improve myself.”

Wingspan: Outside of the realm of music, do you think choir has taught you any life lessons?

Pattangi: “I think there’s a certain level of just the way you absorb information, and the way you respond to certain circumstances, especially with memorization and things of that nature.”

Wingspan: As you are the current president of the Acapella club, tell us about that experience and the process of forming the club on campus this year. 

Pattangi: “I came here and realized there wasn’t an Acapella club, so I just figured we’d start one for fun. Usually the way we had it at my old school was that it was a way for students to express themselves creatively as a mental outlet, but also to improve their own choral experience. We have a lot of members in choir, but also out of choir. I think we are helping them grow in their confidence and as performers.”