Fall Concert “Together” with SBS Choir & Band

Monday, October 26, students and families gathered in the Worship Center to celebrate a night of music. For the first time, the SBS band joined with the choirs in a collaborative concert, featuring impressive music, moving solo vocal performances and incredible instrumental talent. Director of Choral Music Becky Martin and Director of Instrumental Music Kendel Hickenbottom were thrilled with the collaboration of their programs.

The freshman choir opened the program, followed by the TMEA ensemble made up of the students who auditioned for TMEA regionals. 17 SBS choir students passed the regional audition and have advanced to pre-area. In many of the voice parts, our students placed in the top 10, earning first place in soprano, alto and tenor. Stone Heaton ‘21, who earned second place in the bass voice part in TMEA regionals, said, “My favorite part of the fall concert this year was getting to sing the music that I learned for TMEA auditions. It was great to perform the beautiful music that we have been rehearsing.”

Thanks to a livestream offering, in-person and virtual audience members alike enjoyed musical performances from the freshman choir, TMEA Ensemble, Concert Choir, Vision Choir and band. The highlight of the band performances was their instrumental rendition of “Radioactive” arranged by Murtha. Kendel Hickenbottom wowed the crowd with his talented directing and his own musical gifts; he joined the band by playing three different instruments while simultaneously directing their performances.

The breathtaking finale of the show was a collaboration of all choirs and band, performing “Together,” by For King and Country. The Worship Center was filled with the sound of joyful music, and the audience was left speechless. Needless to say, these talented students earned an enthusiastic standing ovation. “With all students performing as one, we created a beautiful sound of instruments and vocals to encourage the audience that we are getting through these hard circumstances together as a community,” shares senior choir student Caroline Bolling ‘21. Band student Matthew Cross ‘22 agreed that the joint effort “made the finale fun and exciting.”

Zac Decker ‘21 echoed their sentiments, saying, “The choir concert was special this year in many ways, especially performing with the band. They brought an energy that every audience member left talking about. The amazing instruments merging with the choir on the final number ‘Together’ was powerful because of the hard times we are going through together. The musical pieces seemed to tie in the themes of this year and the pandemic, from losing others to coming together as one globally.” Through music, cooperation and celebration, our SBS community is truly walking together. #SBStogether