Gwen Witten Upchurch has been teaching choir and leading Sounds of South for 32 years, directing fully staged musicals and coaching young performers as they grow into confident, talented singers.  

“It’s been the best year I’ve ever been here,” she said of the 2016-17 academic year. The choral group, comprised of 68 student singers, performed Stephen Schwartz’s Pippin in October of 2016, following the success of their 2015 performances of Beauty and the Beast. In addition to the annual musical, SOS performs seasonal concerts, including a fun winter concert featuring holiday favorites.

In the past 30 years, the choir has only not qualified for State competition three times. This year, unfortunately, was one of the three. This past Saturday, April 29th, the choir traveled to the ISSMA competition at Bedford North Lawrence High School, where they performed arrangements of Loch Lomond, Elijah Rock, and Lamentations of Jeremiah.

At this District competition “the kids sang incredibly,” said Witten. The choir even received a perfect score for sight reading. Of the three judges who scored the choral performances, it was evident that two of them had personal prejudice against Sounds of South, costing them a trip to State. Regardless, Witten confidently stated that the students’ “talent, cooperation, and work ethic” is what makes the choir wonderful.

There are two remaining opportunities to support Sounds of South this year, at the Spring Concert on Friday, May 12th at 7 p.m., and the Finale concert on Saturday, May 27th at 7 p.m. Both performances will take place in Carmichael Hall, promising a variety of music for everyone in attendance. Buy tickets at musicalartstix.com or at the door.