By Deborah Thomas, Lakeland School Board member and Parent Kristin Hicks
Over one hundred choral students delighted a sanctuary full of families on Thursday evening (4.11.19) at St. Paul United Methodist Church. The occasion was the LMPS (Lakeland Middle Preparatory School) Spring Choral Concert. Selections ranged from well-known pop songs to an old Quaker tune, and students sang in several languages, including Swahili and Latin.
First to take the stage were the Mane Melody singers, who were dressed in their springtime finery. Unlike other choral groups who practice during the school day, these fifth graders learned their entire repertoire in after-school practices every Monday afternoon. They began with “Kusimama,” which included choreography and was sung in Swahili. The lyrics translate to “stand tall with love and hope,” as well as “stand close to the earth.” The Mane Melody singers then sang “Tree Song,” followed by the Phillip Phillips song “Home,” during which students raised placards bearing some of their “favorites” from their fifth-grade year, such as their teachers, their trip to the Grove, and the Veterans Day program.
The Sixth-grade Choir began their selections with “Cantate Domino” and drew gasps from the crowd with the quick pace of “Galop,” which featured John Brown as bass soloist. The sixth graders continued with “Every Night When the Sun Goes In” and closed with Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” with soloists Maddie Moroschak, Jazmine Thomas, and Priya Bakshi who were leadin’ the believin’.
Concert Choir, wearing concert black, were the next to share their vocal talents on a wide range of selections, including “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel” and “Fly Away,” which featured bass soloists Alex Hutchison and John Brown. The entire choir performed “Misericordias Domini” before closing with “A Milion Dreams,” which featured multiple soloists: Toby Harrell, Ava Latshaw, Kaitlyn Thompson, Alexis Gick, Shelby Emerson, Samantha Pruitt, Makala Sharp, and Conner Smith.
Concert Choir yielded the stage to Honor Choir, who performed “Sleep, My Little Sea” and “Gratias Agimus Tibi” before being joined by all sixth, seventh, and eighth graders for the closing number, “How Can I Keep from Singing.” This final selection featured many fine vocalists, including Ava Latshaw, Shelby Emerson, Alexis Gick, Toby Harrell, Liliana Owen, Samantha Pruitt, and Emily Richarde.
Tonya Miller, choral director, recognized the Honor Choir for receiving Superior ratings for both performance and sight reading at the 2019 West Tennessee Vocal Music Educators Association Junior High Choral Festival. She also presented plaques to John Brown, Alexis Gick, and Toby Harrell for earning All-West honors. Recognized for the Director’s Award were Graceanna Volner, Maggie Hackney, Ava Latshaw, Kamiyah Orr, Amie Meraz, Samantha Pruitt, Diego Cruz, Savannah Reynolds, Makala Sharp, who more the medals presented to them for the final number.
As tonight was the final spring concert for LMPS eighth graders, they presented Mrs. Miller with a framed print that read “Dream. Sparkle. Shine Bright.” The mat board surrounding this message was personalized by the thank yous and well wishes of the Honor Choir.
Choir booster president Jen Gick said of the gift, “We wanted to do something to show our appreciation to Mrs. Miller for all she has done for our kids. She is a wonderful teacher who goes above and beyond for her students.”
After receiving the gift, Mrs. Miller stated, “Every eighth grader not only signed the mat board that framed the artwork, but also wrote a sweet message. This gift will hang in the choir room for many years to come. They can always come back and feel like this is their home. ”
In May, the LMPS honor choir heads to Dollywood to perform in a statewide competition.
… Photos courtesy of Deborah Thomas
