LCPS all-county chorus to perform today
Guest conductor Jacob Mewborn leads the middle and high school chorus in rehearsal Friday Photo by Catherine Hardee / Neuse News
Students from across Lenoir County will join together for the Lenoir County Public Schools All-County Chorus concert at the Kinston-Lenoir County Performing Arts Center at Kinston High School today.
Christy White, who teaches music at Banks Elementary School, has organized the All-County Chorus for the last six years. She said her experience in taking students to the North Carolina Elementary Honors Chorus inspired her to begin organizing the All-County Chorus.
“More of my students and students from all over the county could get the experience of singing in a larger group, and it doesn’t cost them money for travel and hotels,” she said. “They can have the opportunity right here at home.”
Guest conductor Jeremy Tucker leads the elementary chorus in rehearsal Friday. Photo by Catherine Hardee / Neuse News
Getting to sing in larger groups is important, she said.
“School programs can only be so big, so when they come into a big group like this, they can sing pieces they wouldn’t be able to do otherwise in their own school chorus,” White said.
Many of the elementary school students have been working on the pieces they will perform today since January, she said.
Students are also getting the chance to perform with guest conductors. Jacob Mewborn, director of Music Ministries at Queen Street United Methodist Church, is directing the middle and high school chorus, and Jeremy Tucker, director of the Raleigh Boychoir, is directing the elementary chorus. Each group will perform four pieces, and the groups will combine to open and close the concert.
North Lenoir High School music teacher Marian Kennedy said she has 19 students singing today.
“They had to cram a little bit to get ready, but this is a really good experience for them,” she said.
White said she is happy to have the support of the school system to put on the concert.
“I’m grateful I work in a school system where they say ‘yes, this is important.’ A lot of systems focus on test scores, but without the arts, where students can express themselves, they won’t be able to do the other things,” White said.
Kinston High School senior Kaden Edgeston said this is her first time singing with the All-County Chorus and she said she is excited for the opportunity. She said she is enjoying the chance to sing alongside other music lovers.
“You can see how many people at all the schools love music,” she said.
The public is invited to enjoy the concert today. It will take place at 1 p.m. at the Kinston-Lenoir County Performing Arts Center at Kinston High School, and admission is free.
