The Mississippi School of the Arts Chorale performs on the floor in the Mississippi House of Representatives to open the 2019 legislative session.
Lawmakers from around Mississippi convened upon the capital city of Jackson on Tuesday, Jan. 8th, to begin the 2019 legislative session. Opening the session by the House Speaker was the post of colors by Jim Hill High School, followed by the singing of the Star Spangled Banner by the MSA Chorale, Mississippi School of the Arts’ own award-winning choir.
“This is the first time we’ve performed at the Capitol in years,” said Patton Rice, the chorale director and vocal music instructor at Mississippi School of the Arts.
Not only did the chorale sing the Star Spangled Banner, but they also sang “America the Beautiful,” a composition by Buryl Red, on the floor of the Mississippi House of Representatives. “I remember one year we sung in the House and then rushed over to the Senate,” said Rice.
While both the House and Senate were convening for the first time this year, the Chorale took advantage of an opportunity to sing in the Rotunda of the State Capitol Building. The MSA Alma Mater, America the Beautiful, and Earth Song were among some of the compositions heard echoing throughout the hallways and rising to the majestic top of the Capitol.
To learn more about the MSA Chorale and Vocal Music program at Mississippi School of the Arts, click here. Listen to the recent Fall Concert of the MSA Chorale, featuring some of the compositions heard at the Capitol: Podcast E3 – 2018 MSA Chorale Fall Concert
Joining us this afternoon is the chamber choir from Mississippi School of the Arts. #msleg pic.twitter.com/Vw2kXJp81d
— Mississippi House of Representatives (@MSHouseOfRep) January 8, 2019
Chorale members: Margaret Boyd, Maleah Briggs, Jamira Jackson, Jessica Luke, Savana Mars, Abby Grace Matthews, Rachel Salassi, Abi Thomas, Aleece Williams, Amy Windham, Brickleigh Wolfe, Grace Wolff, Maney Darby, Asia Ellis, Lauren Hite, Emma Murphree, Avery Neyland, Skylar Noblin-Laminack, Grace Payton, Camden Dixon, Jimmy Foster, Elijah Karriem, Cedrick Smith, Jacob Browning, Christian McCance, Ryan Rushing, Telvin Thomas, and Jeremy Wilson.