Story and photo by student reporter, Taylor Smith
Though the leaves are still on the trees, Thomas County Central High School has already begun work on its third annual Christmas CD.
The CD – known as “A Yellow Jacket Christmas” – was introduced by assistant principal and project “mastermind” Lamar Matthews.
“I thought it would be cool for them (students featured on the CD) to perform,” Matthews said. "We also wanted to find a way to help fund our 'Shop with a Yellow Jacket' effort."
Planning for the third Christmas CD began around the first week of school and will take several more weeks to complete as everyone gathers music and generates the Christmas spirit. All schools within the Thomas County Schools system have been invited to contribute tracks.
The TCCHS Broadcasting department is responsible for mixing and recording the CD. Members make any required enhancements or edits to ensure each track sounds as professional as possible, according to director Randy Young.
“The toughest part technologically is some artists have pre-recorded music,” Young, when asked about the difficulty of creating the CD, said. “Then you have some who record with live instruments, which might not sound as slick but are much more genuine. You just want to make sure that everyone sounds equally impressive.”
For broadcasting students, the project provides an opportunity to use Pro Tools, a program Young said most media-interested students are not exposed to until college, if then.
“The project gives them the chance to learn how to record and ultimately mix on industry-standard audio production equipment that is not available to most high school level students,” he said.
The CD offers young performers the chance to work in a studio.
“In a studio there are a lot of retakes, practice, and time so the singers can really focus on mistakes they have made and pay attention to their voices, and getting it as right as possible,” Matthews said.
TCCHS Chorale Director Nicole Davis has students who already have contributed tracks to the CD, “Wintersong” and “Christmastime is Here.” She helped choose the tracks and best performer for each vocal part.
“I am really excited about the CD,” Davis said. “I love that the students have the opportunity to express their musical ability.”
The CD is used as a fundraiser to support “Shop with a Yellow Jacket,” or SWAYJ. This event, held annually, is used to give selected elementary students a Christmas they won’t forget with a breakfast, shopping for family gifts, and bonding time with older “yellow jacket” students.
The funds raised from the sales of “A Yellow Jacket Christmas” are ultimately used to fund more young “yellow jackets" to participate in SWAYJ, which spreads Christmas joy and smiles upon the faces of the singers, administrators, and listeners.
Both Young and Matthews enjoy seeing students get involved with the CD’s creation and purpose.
“I love the idea of the CD and this time of the year,” Matthews said. “It means a lot to me, personally, because I love to see the kids involved.”
Young adds the CD is a “win-win” for the artists and his department.
“It gives both an opportunity to contribute to something bigger than them,” he said.
Organizers are currently selecting other tracks and performers to fill the CD and anticipate having the album ready earlier this holiday season.
"We've got about half of it recorded already, and we hope to have the CD pretty well finished by the end of October, with the plan being to have it available for the public as we get into November," Young concluded.