Singers is an auditioned class that Lenoir City offers to grade 10-12 students. The class only allows for thirty-two participants and commitment is required. This choir performs a wide variety of sacred, A capella, vocal jazz, and secular choral literature. Tanner Welch (12) is currently a part of this group and had the opportunity to perform at Pellissippi Community College this past week.
“I thought singing at Pellissippi really brought Singers together in a way we can do well in a college atmosphere,” Welch said.
During Welch’s time at Pellissippi, Singers had loads of fun in each other’s company and enjoyed performing.
“[One highlight was] just being able to be in a community, especially with Singers, it is just really nice to be with all of them,” Welch said.
The Singers performance at Pellissippi consisted of three songs they had practiced for months.
“We sang three songs that we have been preparing since January for the J.B Lyle Festival. They are ‘Non-Nobis Domine’, ‘John Saw de Numbuh’, and ‘Sure on the Shiny Night’,” Welch said.
Singers performed at several events during the fall semester including the Fall concert, Christmas Concert, LCHS Madrigal, and All-East Honor Clinic (extracurricular auditioned group). The spring semester introduced even more activities which included all Choral Department Concerts – Winter Concert, Spring Concert, J.B. Lyle Choral Festival performance, ACDA State Choral Festival, All-State Honor Conference (extracurricular audition group), LCHS Graduation, Community Outreach Performances, and The National Anthem at Football and Basketball games.
“We were only there for a few hours, it was just an after-school experience. We went over and sang for the college and anyone else who wanted to come and listen,” Welch said.
Welch has found his passion for music and has decided to continue singing for other colleges.
“[Singing at Pellissippi again] would be cool but I’m going sing at Lee University whenever I’m finished here,” Welch said.
During the Pellissippi performance, several other groups had the privilege to perform. Welch shares his favorite performance of the night.
“I really liked [the performance of] Pellissippi’s honor choir. They were really nice and you could just tell that they really cared for each other in the way they sang,” Welch said.
Welch has learned a lot from his time singing at different events and colleges and will continue to learn and improve his skills.
