Throughout my middle school and high school days, I was a member of my school choirs. Honestly the memories I made while doing it were some of my best. From the cold winter nights performing at Christmas on Main in London, to concerts each school year to Madrigals in high school, I loved every second of it. It was like no matter what was going on around me, as soon as I stepped in that room I was surrounded by people that were relaxed by music just as much as I was. It was through choir that I came into my own as singer, first as an first alto and later as my voice changed a second soprano.

No matter what material we were learning from "Carol of the Bells" in Mr. Felts' class to "We Belong Together" from Grease in Mr. Sizemore's in middle school, it was always interesting. I learned Latin chants, Christmas music from different cultures, pop culture music along with plenty of others. The feeling of accomplishment that you get from performing as a group and the performance coming together as if it is one person is one of the best feelings in the world to me. There were many nights after Madrigals in high school where despite the servers' aching feet, we'd dance and sing the songs with one another just having fun. It didn't matter what year you were in school, if you were in choir you stuck together through high school. The older students would take you under their wing and teach you how to be a better singer and performer. You were encouraged to try out for the solos and even if you didn't make it, you were given pointers on how to be better. You were one big family learning from each other. Even when it felt like the worst day ever, I knew as soon as I stepped foot in that room, I'd be okay for the next hour or so. Knowing that, helped me get through some of my toughest days in high school. Once you crossed through that door, nothing else mattered.

I remember fondly my days as a choir kid and even though I wasn't able to continue choir in college, I'll always remember the sing-alongs on the bus rides to competitions and performances, the way it felt when your section performed fabulously and everything came together, and most of all: the way it felt like you were one big family.

-BrittanyNicole