What a Feeling!

Occasionally, I wake up with something burning on my heart, that I must write even before breakfast.  On Saturday morning, after riding through downtown Clover the night before in a school bus, celebratory horns blaring and kids yelling out the window, escorted by the best of Clover's police force, I felt it an experience that must be shared!  This is a copy of a letter sent to the editor of The Lake Wylie Pilot:

Congratulations to the Clover High Choraliers and director Jay Forrest for winning first place at the State Choral Festival on Friday!  As the parent of a senior (my second to come through the program), I had the honor of chaperoning the group to Columbia.  Previous years I’ve gone to the competition to watch them perform, but since this was my last year, I decided to spend the whole day.

The group worked very hard to prepare for their performance.  Every note, beat, and word pronunciation was carefully rehearsed, as well as getting on and off stage.  Each group had just thirteen minutes from the first foot hitting the stage, to the last one leaving, to get set and perform three songs for the judges.  Considering most of the choirs had 40-50 students, and the Choraliers weigh in at 115, they had to come up with some creative ways to get on and off the stage!  They walked up two by two, and exited the stage in rows of four, yet still maintained a dignified, disciplined look.

Last year, the group came home with the second place trophy, which Mr. Forrest told the students was “fantastic, considering the large number of freshmen in the group.”  Still, it was a tough pill to swallow for a group that strives for perfection.  After last year’s performance, the group knew it wasn’t their best, and they were disappointed.  Overall, however, the group had an amazing year, and they learned that they didn’t have to win state to call the year a great success.

This year, their performance was nearly flawless.  To watch other groups perform (some of them singing the same songs as The Choraliers), the differences were clear:  The Choraliers were a very disciplined group.  There were no wandering eyes, kids scratching, or misplaced arms during performance.  Confidence showed on their faces and in their voices (no wimpy male voices trying to keep up with the sopranos in this group!). 

When it was time for the winners to be announced, the students were excited but very nervous.  “I don’t care if we get second place,” I heard one senior say to another.  “I’m proud of what we did and how hard we worked, and I’ll be happy.”  (Great life lesson learned, I’d say!)  The third place choirs, Wando Show Choir and Sumter, were announced with a tied score of 280.  Second place went to Wando Girl’s Choir, with a score of 281.5.  And with a score of 297, the Clover Choraliers took home first place trophy.  They were further honored with a police escort through the town of Clover at 10pm upon their return, celebrating victory!

It takes great commitment to be a Clover Choralier.  With block scheduling, these students choose to dedicate most of their electives to the choral program, with the rest of their academic schedule being mainly required core classes.  Many of the students in Choraliers also participate in sports, student council, and other extra curriculars.  You’ll often find the valedictorians, student body presidents, and other leaders in the group.  Why?  These kids learn and exercise far more than notes and beats.  They learn time management, teamwork, discipline, public speaking (or public singing), memorization techniques, people skills, leadership, confidence, respect.

In line for dinner Friday night, the students happily invited the bus drivers and chaperones to the front of the line.  That’s their culture.  I heard one patron remark after the Choralier Candlelight dinner a few weeks ago, “It’s kids like these that give me hope for the future.”  I tend to agree.

Thanks for reading my blog!  And thanks to Joey Bradberry for the picture.  For more about living in Lake Wylie and Lake Wylie waterfront resources, please visit Lake Wylie Information website.