Sullivan County's Middle School Choral programs continue to shine throughout the region. Sullivan's choirs have been performing nonstop since the beginning of the 2013-14 school year. Each school choral director has continued to cultivate a rigorous and fun program for all students.
Middle School students started off the year by auditioning for Sullivan's All-County Middle School Chorus. Each school brought approximately 14 - 30 students depending on the size of their school. After two months of rehearsals and learning eight pieces music these 150 students from across the county came together. On the morning of October 10th, students gathered for a day of rehearsal and an evening concert. Students performed for a packed house of 500 people at the Wellmont Regional Center for the Performing Arts at Northeast State Community College under guest conductor, Dr. Trevor Smith of the Knoxville area.
This concert was the first Sullivan All-County Concert in almost 5 years. Teachers and students were thrilled at the response and enthusiasm. Many students exclaimed to their teachers "can we please do this again next year?!" Each teacher had been feverishly working on readying their students for this day. For many of the students, this would be their first time performing on a professional stage. All were proud of the event.
As soon as the All-County Chorus concert ended, teachers prepared their students for various events at their schools. From talent show fundraisers, to fall concerts, and tours, Sullivan's choral students have been busy. Sullivan County even sent 15 students, 9 from Holston Middle and 6 from Colonial Heights, to All-East Tennessee Honor Choirs.
"All-East is an annual ETVA (East Tennessee Vocal Association) event featuring performances by the All-East TN Middle School, Freshmen, Men's, Women's, and SATB (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) Choruses. Participation in an All-East chorus is a prerequisite for a position in the Tennessee All-State Chorus." This year's event was held in Greeneville at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center on November 21-23, 2013. (http://www.etva.org)
Now as the holidays draw closer, our Sullivan County choirs continue to prepare and rehearse for winter holiday concerts and festivities. The students and teachers hope that all will attend their concert to see and hear the hard work paying off, the joy, and pride of their Sullivan County Middle School Choirs. Below is a list of dates and performances:
· Blountville Middle - Concert on Friday, December 13 at 7 p.m.
Students also sang at Cassidy United Methodist Church on December 1st.
Students will sing for the Blountville Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 12 at 6 p.m. in front of the Blountville Court House
· Bluff City Middle - Concert on Tuesday, December 17 at 7 p.m.
· Colonial Heights Middle - Concert on Tuesday, December 10 at 7 p.m.
· Holston Middle - Concert on Wednesday, December 17 at 7 p.m. at Northeast State
· Holston Valley Middle - Concert on Monday, December 9 at 7 p.m. - Sixth through Eighth grade choruses will be performing in Once Upon A Time in a Dream. Songs from Cinderella and Sound of Music will be performed along with The Christmas Serenade and Joy to the World.) The daytime concert will be held at the end of the school day on Friday, December 13.
· Sullivan Gardens K-8 (Middle Campus) - Concert on Tuesday, December 17 at 7 p.m. and during the school day on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Students will also go caroling and sing at the Fundraiser, Carols for Caroline on Saturday, December 7.
· Sullivan North Middle - Concert on Tuesday, December 10 at 7 p.m. Students will also perform at Region's Bank in downtown Kingsport as a part of the Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 7 from 5-6 p.m.
Sullivan County Middle School Choirs and Choral Directors would like to thank the county leadership, their communities, school faculty and staff, and student families for their encouragement and support throughout this fall/winter 2013. We look forward to growing and thriving in the new year. Happy Holidays!
