Wednesday, August 20th, several talented members of the Heritage Chorus were chosen to participate in the District Honor Choir (DHC). What is DHC, though? According to Jennifer Hamilton, the chorus teacher who selected the students who go, it is an event where a group of the best students travel to Woodland High School, and practice all day with other students to have a performance that evening.
“District Honor Chorus is a Georgia Music Educators Association event in which teachers choose students to represent their school. Then, on November 3rd, they will go to Woodland High School and rehearse all day with other students from across the district to perform a concert that evening,” Mrs. Hamilton said.
This year’s group representing heritage in the mixed choir is composed of many extraordinary students. Seniors Ceci Ward and Madison Kelly and junior Janna Franks were selected to sing soprano, while junior Hannah Johnston and sophomores Raelynn Bryson and Karen Trestrail were selected to sing the alto voice part. Sophomore Thomas Amick, and seniors Grayson Brown, Isaiah Dennis, and Will Farmer will be performing as tenors. Juniors Max Sawyer and Aiden Tipton will be singing bass, alongside seniors Ayden Smith and Michael Courtney.
The other star level group is the treble choir, meaning it is composed of only female singers. Juniors Sadie Robison, Addison Shaver, and Kenadee Simpson are going to be singing soprano 1, all the while freshman Abigail Heafner and sophomores Lilith Rosenkranz and Teagan Trobaugh are singing in the soprano 2 section, the second highest voice part. Freshmen Cassie Bevil, Sarah Kate Colquette, and Gracie Smith are performing the alto voice part.
In order to be selected for DHC, they had to sing a song for Mrs. Hamilton, and the best singers were given this opportunity. Only 23 students of all those who tried out were accepted due to limited spots.
Many of these students enjoy the event and have gone multiple times. Janna Franks, a junior who has been in this event every year since 8th grade, said, “It’s definitely fun. It has its ups and downs, but to hear the sound of so many voices singing at once is truly incredible.”
On the other side of the spectrum, Gracie Smith, a freshman, is excited to experience DHC for her very first time. “I’m really excited to see what it’s about,” Smith said. “I think it’s going to be so much fun, and I’m going to meet new people who are going to be great friends.”
Although it is an honor to be a part of DHC, it requires lots of hard work and dedication to music. Mrs. Hamilton said, “Students have to put in eight hours of practice time outside of class, so they just rehearse themselves online to prepare.” This shows the effort these students obediently put into being a part of this amazing program.
“It’s an acquired taste, because you have to grind all day,” said Ceci Ward, a senior who has participated for three years. “You’re with people that you’re not usually singing with, so you don’t know how you’re supposed to blend with these people. It can be really difficult, but it’s also super rewarding.”
Despite the effort and drive it requires, everyone in DHC loves it, and said that it is worth it. Hannah Johnston, a junior returning to DHC for her third time, said, “My overall experience is probably about a seven out of ten. Most of the people are very kind, and everyone’s always willing to work with you.”
They also mentioned the growth it helped them to achieve. Ward said, “I think it made me more of an independent performer,” while Franks said, “I think that it’s definitely helped me with my choir form.” Choir form is the sound of choral music, the long vowels and good posture that it requires, and it often takes a long time to make it a reflex
Overall, District Honor Choir sounds like a perfect opportunity for those who want to grow and are willing to put in the hard work and time it requires. As these young stars work, they will reap the joy of participating in this event. Congratulations to all those who made it in.
