At this year’s fall concert, Mr. D. Allen Fowler, the executive director of the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), presented the Heritage Chamber Choir with the exemplary performance award for their efforts at GMEA events.
To gain this award, the Chamber Choir had to submit videos of themselves performing, the number of people involved in choir, the results from Large Group Performance Evaluations (LGPE), and a list of the GMEA events they participated in. They also had to submit the level that they performed at.
Mrs. Hamilton, the choir director, said, “There are different levels, like A, B, C, and D. The Chamber Choir was performing at level A, the hardest level, and receiving superior rankings. We said that the Chamber Choir sang for the in-service conference and gave a concert that was around twenty five minutes long. We also submitted score sheets and the comments from judges at LGPE.”
A few of the biggest Chamber Choir achievements that led to this award were their performances at the in-service conference and their performance at GMEA. They practiced rigorously to perform at these occasions, and although it was hard, they enjoyed the experience and were very happy to receive the exemplary performance award.
“It was a really long and hard process, but it was really fun,” said senior Madison Kelley, a member of the Chamber Choir. “We were here late at night practicing with all of our friends, and it was super fun seeing all of the music come together.”
Normally, they practiced once a week on Wednesdays when the school year begins; for Chamber Choir, they started practicing during the summer, then increased practice to 3-4 days a week once school was in. “Last year, we actually began practicing before the school year even started. Once we got to school, we had auditions for the actual Chamber Choir, because the summer practice was just for anyone interested,” said junior Hannah Johnston, another member of the Chamber Choir.
The hard work paid off in the end, creating lasting memories for the Chamber Choir, as well as great joy from obtaining the award. Mrs. Hamilton said, “It’s nice for the students to be recognized at a state level, and for our high school and county. I’m really proud of the students for that. I’m thankful I get to teach these students, thankful that they work hard, and thankful that GMEA chose our group.”
Members were also happy with their success. “It made me feel super proud and accomplished because I was part of a group that was able to put on that performance and win that award,” said Will Farmer, a senior in Chamber Choir.
Overall, it seems that all their hard work paid off when they received the Exemplary Performance award. Remember to congratulate any members you see in the halls for attaining this award.
