History+of+Choral+Program+by+Director

 **__Ms. Miki Wright (from Ms. Wright herself)__** 2008-2009 The Choral Department was comprised of 3 comptitive groups, Bel Canto, Chorale, and Concert Choir, and one non-auditioned group, Ladies Choir. These groups performed for community events, regular concerts, and in two competitions. Students also had the opportunity to perform for a Lexington County Council Meeting in February where they lead the pledge of allegiance and sang the National Anthem. Students were praised as the largest group to ever begin the meeting and the first to sing for the council. 2008-2009 was also the first year in many that the students were able to go on a National Compeition Trip in which they were thrilled. This was also the year of the economic down-turn that made it difficult for students to afford expenses such as trips. Many students' parents lost their jobs and the Lexington County Community suffered across the board. Students were able to afford the trip when a last-minute benefactor stepped in to pay for 6 students trips which allowed the trip to take place completely. These wonderful benefactors were the founders of the Megan Keisler Foundation.
 * Directions:** List the history of the Choral program by Director. List the Director's Name and under the name, list the school year. Information can include but is not limited to, what choirs were a part of the program, names of clubs and choral facts. List information from most recent to less recent. **Cite Everything!**

The students performed for regular concerts, community events, ball games, and school functions. (See Honors and Awards for compeitive details.)

2007-2008 Due to the mix of students in the Concert Choir, Ms. Wright incorporated a new Honors level competitive ensemble to the Choral Program, Bel Canto. Bel Canto was embedded in the day where Ladies Choir used to be so that students could still participate in All-State Chorus and State Festival. Bel Canto was an all female advanced ensemble equal to Concert Choir. Now, Concert Choir's name was changed to Chorale with a new ratio of males to females of 1:2. This allowed for better balance and gave the females an opportunity to shine in Bel Canto with difficult female repertoire. Both groups competed at State Choral Festival and did very well. (See Honors and Awards) There were pieces for concerts that both groups performed together to give the Bel Canto women the opportunity to sing with male voices while allowing the whole group to open and close concerts together on stage. This group was them called the GHS Concert Choir.

During this school year, Ms. Wright introduced Saturday Retreats to the students. Each semester began with a Saturday Retreat, where vocal specialists and local voice teachers were brought in to run sectional rehearsals with the students. It was during these Retreats that Mr. David Poynor, GHS English teacher, was incorporated into the Choir Family. Ms. Wright discovered his musical skills that he uses as Music Director at a Columbia Church.

2006-2007 When Ms. Wright took over for Mrs. Moore, the choral program consisted of Ladies Choir and Concert Choir. Both choirs were embedded in the hybrid 4x4 Block schedule back-to-back. Ladies Choir was a non-auditioned choir of about 26 girls. Concert Choir was around 50 people, 13 of which were boys. Concert Choir was an HONORS credit course that was our competiitive ensemble. There was also an after-school Chamber choir of anywhere from 7-14 people. They performed a few pieces each concert but did not last the entire year. Many community events were scheduled throughout the year that were traditional. They included the Gilbert Community Carol Lighting, Home Football Games, Senior Citizens' Banquet, Baccalaureate Service, and Graduation. The choir competed in the SC State Choral Festival as their Competition. Before State, Ms. Wright took a small group of officers to Lander University to observe the Lander Choral Festival. The students brought back wonderful information from the performances and set goals for the rest of the year. It was a great learning experience.

2002-2003 The Gilbert High School Chorus started out 2002 by performing in the "Pop" Concert which they performed with the orchestra in October; at this concert they sang my patriotic tunes in remembrance of the September 11 attacks. They also sang in a Madrigal Dinner for the community, which was held December, 6. The choir also participated in the Winthrop University Invitational Chamber Choir Clinic where they received "rave reviews". In addition they also participated in both the Governors carolighting and the Gilbert community carolighting, as well as a putting on a Christmas concert. The Gilbert choir closed 2002 by performing a spring concert. (Gilbertine 2002 p. 130)
 * __Mrs. Rachel Moore__**


 * __Ms. Camille Jones (from Mrs. Jones herself)__**

Choral Director 1989 - 1996 1989 - Started with a total of 30 students 1 - 7th grade chorus class 1 - 8th grade chorus class 1 - High School chorus class - 12 students - 1 bass, 2 tenors, 5 altos, 4 sopranos 1 Allstate Student - Keith Devault (Don't remember the other years ...had a few but not many) I remember I would invite talented 7th & 8th graders to join the high school group on our trips to Orlando and Carowinds..... 1993 - Gilbert Middle School was built - continued with 1 high school chorus class along with middle school classes Started the Show Choir in 1992 or 1993? Competed in Nashville in 1996 (16 students).......did very well! In 1996, left GHS with 75 signed up for the GHS Concert Choir class - started full-time middle school with 150 kids. Has built to approximately 180 students per year. I don't remember ratings...but we did start participating in State Festival 1995.....I think we got a superior or excellent.....I don't remember ever placing at State with the High School....

2 Booster Club Parents President- Jean Moore Sec-Treasurer - Virgie Summers


 * __Mrs. Grayson Wright__**


 * __Mrs. Molly Spearman__**, Sponsor (p.97 Choral Club)

 1975 The Gilbert High School Chorus under the direction of Mrs. Becky Moss, has grown to an impressive 68members. While most of these are Girl’s, they do boast quite a large baritone section. This is the first year that the high school chorus had a Girl’s Ensemble. The group is composed of 8 Girl’s who were selected on the basis of voice quality and range . 1975.p81-A __President:__ Sherry Hendrix, __Vice-President__ Jennifer Smith, __Sec.Tres.;__ Sherry Weaver, __Reporter:__ Miriam Shealy (Gilbertine 1975 p. 81)
 * __Mr. Charles Gatch__**
 * __Mrs.Becky Moss __**

**__Miss Nancy Burkhalter, Director __**

1969-1970 __Student Dirctor__- Jimmy Baotwright, __President__- Cherly ballington, __Secretary__- Mary Derrick, __Treasurer__-sheryl Pelkey (information from 1970 Gilbertine pages 20 and 40)
 * __Mrs. Kay Pagett__**

1968-1969 __Officers__; __Vice President__: Wyman Taylor, __Librarian__: Phyllis Risinger, __Reporter__: Tommy Davis, __President__: Maxine Risinger, __Secretary/Treasurer__: Joe Addy, __Librarian__: Monroe Risinger (P.30 Gilbertine)
 * __Mrs. Margaret Eargle__**

1962-1963 __Librarian__- Robert Miller, __Vice-Presidnet__- Jane Haltiwanger, __Rporter__- Walter Edward Gott, __President__- Alberta Padgett, __Librarian__- Grady Gott, __Secretary__- Libby Risinger, __Treasurer__- Kay Shealy (information form 1962 gilbertine page 60)

1961-1962 Officers; __President__: Phyllis Sease, __Vice President__: Nancy Keisler, __Secretary/Treasurer__: Gayle Padgett, __Reporter__: Jane Haltiwanger (p.55 Gilbertine)
 * __Mrs. Emily Jones__**

<span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> **__Miss Carolyn Meetze__** <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> 1950-1951 - Glee Club Officers; __President:__ Ernestine Sharpe, __Vice President__: Doris Crier, __Accompanist__ Martha Frances Smith ( p. 27 Gilbertine)
 * __Miss Julia Johnstone__**

1948-1949 ( Gilbertine Glee Club, Music Club)
 * __Mrs. Paul Taylor__**

1946-1947 Directress of Glee Club. Officers; __President__: Joretta Hare, __Vice-President__: Betty Hook, __Secretary:__ Cloe Hall Directress of Music Club and Directress of Band. (Gilbertine1947,pgs.5,25,26)
 * __Miss Gladys Willingham__**


 * __Miss Miriam Swann Roberts__**

1941-1942 - Mrs. H.Q. Gantt, Jr. director of Music Club, Miss Miriam Swann S. Roberts director of Glee Club (Gilbertine 1942 p.26)
 * __Mrs. H. Q. Gannt, Jr.__**

1940-1941 - Mrs. H.Q. Gantt, Jr.(Mabel Shull), Director-Music Program (Gilbertine1941,p.30) Miss Miriam Swann Roberts, Director-Glee Club (Gilbertine1941,p.31)

1939-1940 Glee Club
 * __Miss Mabel Shull__**

1939-1940- Choral Club

1939-1940 Miss Mabel Shull, Director- Private Piano Pupils