Thomas County Chorale members recently got the opportunity to showcase their talent and raise funds for their program.
The chorale holds an annual showcase during autumn and spring. On Thursday, Oct. 30, the Fall Showcase was held in the TCCHS cafeteria.
Thomas County Chorale prepared for the Fall Showcase since the first week of school.
Nicole Davis, TCCHS chorale teacher, explained the showcase is a department fundraiser.
“Starting the very first week of school Thomas County Chorale members began preparing for these fun shows,” she said. “They are themed concerts featuring all choirs and the best soloists.”
Victoria Talbott-Cortez, one of the choir soloists, explained how the choir prepared for this event.
“In order to perform our songs we had to practice and learn them,” she said.
Davis said her students “made some amazing achievements this year.”
“Most of them were faced with the challenge of reading music for the first time and at least three of the songs were original arrangements composed just for Thomas County Chorale,” she said. “While learning the notes to the music, the students were also coached on fundamentals on good singing and stage presence.”
Some of the choir members had a special treat in store for the audience and the rest of the choral. With their “mentality of ‘Go Big or Go Home,’” they performed YouTube sensation “What Does the Fox Say.”
“The students created masks and came up with face painting ideas and choreography that would help show the story and energy of the song,” Davis said.
Talbott-Cortez enjoyed the experience.
“I love being able to sing with such talented singers and I love how everyone in chorus is like a big family,” she said.
Students commented that there were more audience members this year compared to the previous year.
“It [the audience] was actually a bigger crowd then last year,” David Le, a student and member of the choir, said.
Davis felt the audience was “participatory, respectful and energetic,” and she enjoyed the community’s support of her young musicians.
“I’m so very proud of my students’ performances,” she said. “They worked so hard and performed well.”