The Greenville MS Choir participated at the UIL Region IV Concert/Sight Reading Contest at Greenville HS Wednesday, April 10^th, earning a First Division Concert Rating. The Select Choir from GMS included 8^th graders David Foote, J.T. Foote, Laura Foote, Diamond Freeman, Julie Hollister, Tanjania Key, Haley Lewis, Vallarie Ramirez and Emma Shasteen plus 7^th graders Kenneth Gage Hollis, Lydia Shatney, Ross Camille Simmons and Anna Wilkerson. Three other choir members Jessi Fawcett, Sammi Flood and Dashundra Wilson were unable to attend the UIL contest on Wednesday, but will perform with the choir at their Spring Concert at the GMS auditorium on Tuesday, April 30^th at 6 pm. The choir is also preparing to end their year with an exciting Pops Concert in the GMS auditorium on Tuesday, May 28^th at 6 pm.

For the UIL Contest, the GMS Choir performed three numbers. The first piece, Antiphonal Kyrie by Susan Thrift, was done a capella (without accompaniment) and featured 2-3 part close harmony. The second number, All Things Bright and Beautiful by John Rutter, featured a gorgeous piano accompaniment and haunting melody, including lots of challenging intervals and frequent key changes that required tremendous precision by the choir. The third piece, The King of Love arranged by Julie Knowles, featured two outstanding soloists, David Foote and Emma Shasteen, who also provided a soaring descant part on the final chorus after the choir’s stirring 3 part round in the middle section, capping off their best all-around performance so far this year.