A recent Thomas County Chorale special performance paid homage to some of the movie industry’s most beloved songs and showcased its students’ talents.
The chorale held its showcase, A Night at the Movies, on Thursday, Feb. 12, at First Baptist Church in Thomasville.
"The concert was very live and interactive,” senior performer Chasia Thompson said. “I really enjoyed being with my choral siblings"
M. Nicole Davis, TCCHS chorale director, said she’s always looking for new show themes.
“This theme came to me because I love movies so much and the music even more,” she said.
The idea also gave Davis the chance to collaborate with another TCCHS department.
“I also know that we have a fantastic Broadcasting team at TCCHS and I wanted a chance to collaborate with them,” she said. “Victoria Talbott-Cortez, a senior in the broadcasting department and active Chorale member, made an amazing compilation of titles and movie clips for us. She did such a wonderful job.”
Songs included recent favorites such as “Boom Clap” from “The Fault in Our Stars” to the classics like “We Go Together” from “Grease.”
“I had different methods for each choice,” Davis said. “In some cases, I chose movies that I knew the audience would be familiar with and then hunted like crazy for songs that would fit. Other songs I knew I wanted but had to search where they existed within film, and the soloists chose their own songs which also added variety.”
Davis said each person had a distinct favorite, but the entire audience loved the Men’s Ensemble’s performance of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.”
Her favorite part of the performance was “Jai Ho!”
“It was the last and biggest piece in the set list,” she said. “I just love how it brought all the singers together.”
The Thomas County Chorale prepared the show in six weeks. Members practiced every day “to make the music beautiful and the show exciting,” Davis said.
Previous showcases took place in the TCCHS cafeteria but Davis knew, based on the attendance for the chorale’s fall showcase, that more room would be needed this time.
“It is a good problem to have,” she said. “I am very grateful First Baptist Church allowed us to use its facilities. The audience loved the change.”
Davis said “there is always room for improvement” but remarked this performance “was our best show yet!”
“I am so proud of my students,” she said. “They were respectful during the performances of their fellow members and performed with great energy. My greatest benefit is the reaction from my students and the audience. They all had such a great time. Our hard work paid off.”
Her students agree.
"The concert couldn't have been better,” senior performer Tabetha Brooks said. “Thanks to the amazing choirs and support from the school, family, and friends."