BHS choirs prepare for contest

The BHS Choral Department is hard at work already as they begin preparations for the 2010 choral contest season. In their first week back BHS’ five choirs have began work on their music for contest. With a successful contest season in their wake, Choral Director Brian Stuck and his choirs are looking forward to contest this year with hopes that their best is worthy of a I rating.

 

In 2009, the Choral Department took more ensembles and solos to contest and then state than years previous, and brought home more I and II rating than ever before. Losing one week of practice to snow days has proved not to bring down the high expectations to do as well as last year.

 

“I’m a little worried because we lost a week of school and contest has been moved to a week earlier than past years,” Stuck said. “But all the choirs have a chance to get a I this year.”

 

Headed into the choir room, one can hear the voices of 52 students singing their new pieces before walking through the doors. Every year each choir takes two to three pieces to perform for judges. The judges rate the choirs on a one to five ranking based off criteria from intonation to diction. After performing for the judges, the choirs go into a room and sight read. They get a sheet of music that they have never seen and read the music as a group. Based off their performance and their sight reading, choirs get their rating and the choir that receives a I rating gets to go to state contest in Columbia.

 

This is sophomore Kasea Price’s second year participating in contest, but her first time experiencing the contest atmosphere at BHS. With her first contest experience not living up to what she had hoped for Price is confident the second time around will be better.

 

“I have a good group of singers this year in my ensemble, so we should do good,” Price said.

 

The Belton Singers, BHS’ chamber choir, have a heavy load to carry when contest time comes around. Belton Singers are a part of two choirs, Concert Choir and their own self titled choir. The choir, as described by Stuck, has eager spirits to learn the new music, and to insure they get a to take that trip to Columbia. As a requirement all Belton Singers have to take a solo to contest along with being in two ensembles selected by Stuck. In total the Belton Singers have 12 pieces of music to learn and perform for contest.

 

Just as any sport, the key to a group of individuals doing well is working together. Even though having a great contest year in 2009, Junior Katie Miller doesn’t just expects success, she knows what it will take to have success in this contest year.

 

“With a lot of time and effort we can be successful,” Miller said. “It’s a group and not a solo effort, we have to work together.”

 

Having Stuck lead the way, BHS is looking forward to this year’s contest season. All five choirs continue to work hard and prepare to achieve their ultimate goal of going to Columbia and getting a I ranking.