P aul McCartney once said: “I love to hear a choir. I love the humanity … to see the faces of real people devoting themselves to a piece of music. I like the teamwork. It makes me feel optimistic about the human race when I see them cooperating like that.”

That about sums up what Georgia College & State University’s annual “High School Choral Day” is all about: fellowship, collaboration, good music—and a little recruitment too.

“It started off as an effort to get high school singers on campus and, hopefully, recruit some music majors, minors and ensemble members. We continue it for that same reason,” said Dr. Jennifer Flory, director of Choral Activities.

“This performance was quite successful,” she said. “I felt super afterwards. I don’t always feel this way if we haven’t progressed much. This year was great.”

Georgia College has hosted Choral Day nearly every fall since 2006. In that time, about 93 high schools have joined in with nearly 1,200 high schoolers experiencing what it’s like to be on campus and sing in a college choir.

High schoolers are exposed to songs in advance, then they practice alongside college students only a few times before performing.

The day begins with ice breakers. Several rehearsals are interspersed with games, college information sessions, lunch in the dining hall and a campus tour. There is also a “masterclass,” allowing high school students a chance to sing solo and work with voice faculty. The performance was held at First Baptist Church.

“It gives high school students a chance to perform music that each high school might not be able to perform on their own,” Flory said. “We’ve had several students attend High School Choral Day, apply to GCSU, be accepted and enroll—some as music majors, some not.”

Of five high schools that attended, four choral directors were Georgia College alumni. They were Joel Singleton from Eastside High School in Covington, Georgia; Greta Thomas of Jackson High School in Jackson, Georgia; Jeremy Rooks from Upson-Lee High School in Thomaston, Georgia; and Aston Bryant from Valdosta High School in Valdosta. Students from Northside High School in Houston County were also present.

Students of former students are like grandkids to Flory. She enjoys seeing alumni choral directors in their role as teachers.

Singleton graduated from Georgia College in 2000 with a music education degree. He’s been the choral director at Eastside High School for 16 years. He brings students nearly every year to Georgia College’s Choral Day to meet new people, experience “a different sort of freedom” on a college campus and be exposed to rehearsal techniques of a new director.

His high school students were nervous going in but felt proficient by afternoon.

“The music was tough and the rehearsal full of quick and busy information,” Singleton said, “so they felt accomplished, as a result.”

“Students take away several things: The opportunity to do something new and the opportunity to rehearse with a college director and other college-aged singers,” he said. “They get to experience music with other high school kids that share common interests and vocal abilities. And the voice master class offers them the chance to see music in a different arena from just choral singing. I like to come to provide students with something new.”

For the 20 members of Georgia College’s Max Noah Singers, High School Choral Day is also a chance to mentor younger students and tell them about college.

Senior music education major Allison Ryder of Jackson guided students from her old high school in Jackson. She recalled coming to Choral Day as a high school student in 2018—how nervous she was in the beginning but how welcomed she felt at Georgia College. It was the best musical experience she had that year.

It was nice to reciprocate that feeling for other Jackson students.

One song in the repertoire was especially difficult, “Cindy” by Mack Wilberg. It uses two choirs and includes hollering, whoops, stomping and clapping. It was Ryder’s favorite song that day, and she enjoyed sharing the experience with high schoolers.

Sophomore music education major Riley Greer attended two Choral Days in 2018 and 2019 as a student from Upson-Lee High School. She was “embarrassingly nervous” during her first, because she felt it necessary to impress the college kids.

“As soon as I walked in, everyone was so welcoming and kind,” Greer said. “The college students were very active in helping us with sections that were tricky. It was very humbling, but I had the time of my life and knew immediately that this was what I wanted to do in college and for my career.”

Greer led her former high school at Choral Day too. She had conversations with prospective students, encouraging them to attend Georgia College.

It was gratifying for both Ryder and Greer to switch roles and play mentor. Rehearsing and performance in one day is overwhelming—and they were happy to ensure the same positive experience for others.

“I really wanted to help give the high schoolers a life-changing experience,” Ryder said, “and singing this piece, ‘Cindy,’ was something that many of them may never have the chance to do again.”

“Learning new songs on the day of performance is very tricky,” she said, “but the high schoolers were prepared and focused.  We accomplished a lot. They put in the effort, and they did their best.”