Watauga Students Headed to NC Honors Chorus

Sophie Helms, Emma Price, and Grey English standing in Watauga High School.” Choir is really fun, and it has made me myself,” said English. Photo Credit: Elle Jones

Elle Jones, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn

After years of singing, reading music, and dedicating their time to choir, Watauga students Grey English, Sophie Helms, and Emma Price earned spots in the most prestigious choir program in North Carolina: the North Carolina Honors Chorus. Out of roughly 1700 auditionees, only 178 made the cut. After being selected by choir teacher Mr. Frankie Lancaster and weeks of preparation, the students impressed judges and will work with experienced directors before performing at a choral festival in November. 

“I have been singing ever since I was little, and it has always been a part of my life,” said Emma Price. “Choir has really given me a place to belong, and I feel like I have found my community.”

Being a part of choir has helped show Price who she really is. She hopes to always be involved with the music industry even if it is not academically involved, and making it into NC Honors Chorus is giving Price that first major step in the right direction.

“Choir is one of the biggest passions in my life, and that is why I put so much effort into making NC Honors Chorus,” said Price. “It meant so much to me, and it was a goal that I wanted to achieve.”

Price has always loved choir and has put years of hard work and determination into it. After weeks of practice every day after school with her peers, reading music, and using their voices, Sophie Helms knew how to reach the NC Honors Chorus. Choir has given her a place to come together with what she loves. 

“When you're singing, it can be hard to get out of your own mind, and choir is a way for that to be taken away,” said Helms. “My family are all music people, so we have all always been around music, and now I am getting involved with more singing and experimenting with recording engineering.”

Helms has been singing since she was young.  Between singing with her family, church choirs, middle school choirs, and choir at the high school, Helms has worked consistently to get to where she is now.  Currently,  Helms hopes to get involved in sound engineering, and NC Honors Chorus is the next step she needs to reach this goal.

“As of right now, my goal is to transition from being in a big group to working individually,” said Helms. “I’ve been experimenting with sound engineering for a long time, and I want to keep focusing on learning the ins and outs of the recording industry.”

Right now, choir is preparing Helms to get involved with individual singing. She has received guidance and support from directors and experienced singers to do what she is most passionate about. Grey English has also found choir to be a place that has changed her outlook and her interactions with fellow students.

“Choir has made me open up, and it has been one of the biggest things that has impacted me in general,” said English. “There is such a big community aspect, and I have made so many connections and gotten opportunities.”

Choir has helped all three of these students develop their musical talents through their dedication. Although it may seem like only singing, vocalists have to read music while making sure they have the correct pronunciation for every word, knowing every consonant, and never getting off a beat. Joining NC Honors Chorus gives them an opportunity to grow as singers and expand their communities.

“It has been amazing to find people who are willing to encourage me to get to those places just like NC Honors Chorus, and I am also able to encourage them just as much,” said Price. “The community is so good at putting forth their maximum effort and giving their all to do something they want to achieve.”