I started in 2011 when I was in first grade and graduated in 2023 as a senior in high school.
While the tours and concerts all have their highlights, my fondest memory is the last dress rehearsal for my final concert. The rehearsal, even more than the concert itself, culminated my time with the choirs. I remember scurrying about the backstage of Powell Hall, as I had done for so many years, seeing old friends and directors and thoroughly enjoying it all for the last time. Of course, I couldn't contain overflowing sentimentality when all the choirs were on stage together practicing an old, familiar finale and collectively getting tripped up on the same sections that frustrated us every other time we'd sung it.
The choirs provided me with role models throughout elementary and middle school. The ensembles may rehearse separately, but between concerts and tours, young members are always near older students to look up to. Conversely, older students are expected to set examples for others. When I was younger, I remember admiring the artistry and poise of the high schoolers and aiming to imitate it.
Of the many lessons that the choirs taught me, the most impactful from an early age was a sense of young professionalism. Mrs. Burnworth started us off at seven years old, making sure we could ignore distractions while on stage. But throughout my time, the directors and staff at SLCC sent students a clear message: if you take yourself seriously and your work seriously, others will take it seriously too.
The community should understand how valuable it is to stay with the choirs and grow up with them. While every year is enjoyable in itself, it is the year after year progression that made the choirs so rewarding to me. When you are young, it is exciting to look up to the older ensembles as goals to accomplish with your friends.
