A group of high school musicians is putting the “sing” in StINGERS. Thomas County Central High School StINGERS is a group started last school year by TCCHS Chorale Director Nicole Davis. Auditions were held and members announced this week. “StINGERS is an after school advanced auditioned choir that performs only popular music,” Davis said. “The singers selected for StINGERS are 9-12 graders who show great talent, character, and musicianship skills. The purpose is to give an after school creative outlet to talented singers.”
The group can have anywhere from 16-35 members, Davis said. Its members are “the leaders of the chorus program,” she added, and have good character and peer leading skills. “It gives all the chorus students a level of achievement to work toward,” Davis said. “Last spring it was an all-girl group. This year we are bringing in some talented guys to sing with them. It's going to be great.”
The 2014-2015 StINGERS are: (sopranos) Amber Shimkus, Taylor Midgette, Ava Glover, Victoria Robinson, AlDazja Johnson, Bethanie Simons, Courtney Jackson; (altos) Melody Hagan, Ansley Brinson, Victoria Talbott-Cortez, Ariana Warren, Tabetha Brooks, Alexis Helms, Amber Diggs; (tenors) Darius Jackson, Caleb Walton, Marc Rountree, Noah Palmer, David Le; (baritones) Isaiah Thurman, Cole Blackwell, Austin Redding and Zion Jackson.
“I want to be a part of StINGERS because it is an inspiration to me,” said Ansley Brinson. “It lets me know that I can sing and not care what others say and it’s a natural talent. I like to sing because singing always expresses me, who I am, how I feel and when I’m sad it makes me happy.” Brinson hopes to learn “how to control my voice and expressions better.” Ava Glover, who was a member last year, said she looks forward to building new friendships and doing something she loves. “I like to sing in smaller groups because I love the personal relationships that are built between the members,” said Glover. “I have sung all my life. It has become a way to express myself. I hope to make new friends, go new places and grow as a singer.” Tabetha Brooks loves singing. “I love signing because I feel like I’m decent when I do it and I’ve never felt good at anything,” she said. “Also, I feel like StINGERS will teach me how to hit pitches I’ve never really hit before.” Victoria Talbott-Cortez participated last year and is glad to be back for a second year. “I want to learn how to improve my voice and learn how to sing in a group other than a chorus,” she said. Taylor Midgette hopes StINGERS will teach her “how to be more comfortable singing in front of people.” “Singing has always been a passion and my sense of being happy,” she said. “I’m a senior and love to sing and feel like I need to branch out and get more comfortable singing in front of people. What better way to do it than with StINGERS?”
StINGERS is also the face of Thomas County Chorale in the community, Davis said. The group performs at Victorian Christmas and other community events. The public has a chance to hear the StINGERS and other Thomas County Chorale ensembles in their first performance this year with the second annual Fall Showcase, Oct. 23 in the TCCHS cafeteria.