S.O.U.L.S. choir performs debut concert in Lonsdale
By Ken Lay
Members of the Sounds of Unity Lifting Spirits youth choir made their debut Wednesday morning at a local church.
The S.O.U.LS. choir performed with the Center for English choir at the fellowship hall at West Lonsdale Baptist Church.
The performance was a culmination of a summer of free music lessons for the Center for English choir, directed by Sandra Fugate, and the S.O.U.L.S. choir, directed by Dr. Jill Hobby.
Both organizations are 501-c non-profits.
The Center for English has English classes for people who immigrate to the United States, either as refugees or professionals and their spouses.
The Center for English choir is comprised of children of those immigrants. That choir joined with S.O.U.L.S. to perform collaborative renditions of “Amani Utupe,” a Kenyan folk song which is “Give Us Peace, Give Us Courage” translated, and “America the Beautiful.”
“America the Beautiful” included a solo performance by Maryville High School freshman Alex Luhn who was joined by Sindy Messerett, Monera Messerett, Laura Morris, Pragnya Latha, Suhaira Farishta and Shadha Waijah.
The S.O.U.L.S choir performed “Gloria Deo,” a Latin song, “Believe For It” and “God Bless America.”
The choirs were accompanied by Farragut Middle School seventh grade pianist Vincent Xiazo, who also opened the program with a piano solo. Chris Justice also played congas and clarinet.
The purpose of S.O.U.L.S is to bring children from various backgrounds together through music.
“Music is the universal language. It brings people together and makes everybody happy,” Hobby said. “Everybody who leaves a concert leaves happy.
“In sports, one team always leaves sad.”
Hobby was ecstatic following the S.O.U.L.S. choir’s first performance, which took place after just seven rehearsals.
“The S.O.U.L.S. Singers have bought into the idea that singing is more than hitting the right notes, but is about working hard, learning about the pieces, and singing with passion,” Hobby said. “This group of young people genuinely likes each other. They get along and yet they are from such a variety of backgrounds, but the music draws them together.
“These kids have come together, They’re from different backgrounds and different faiths and they come together to sing folk songs, patriotic songs and songs of praise to God.”
The S.O.U.L.S. choir is open to children ages 9-18, and the choir is currently seeking new members. It features singers from five East Tennessee counties. Hobby said that she hopes to expand to cover nine counties.
Participation in the choir is free.
The choir rehearses on Mondays from 6-8 p.m. at Callahan Drive Baptist Church.
