The entire school year yet our Poteau High School choir has been all over the place. Which makes it now time for the big choir contest. They have been practicing for some weeks now, from alto to soprano and from tenor to bass, everyone has been singing the notes like a whole.
Standing on the stage before a choir contest feels different from any other day of singing. The lights are brighter, the room is quieter, and every small sound seems louder than usual. We line up in our places, fix our folders, and take one slow breath together. In that moment, it is not about one voice. It is about all of us working as one.
Preparing for a choir contest takes time and patience. “I eat a lot of cough-drops, drink a lot of water, and I try to take good care of my voice. That’s my preparation,”says sophomore Reid Knight. They practice the same songs again and again, not because they do not know them, but because they want to know them better. They learn where to breathe, when to come in, and how to listen to the people around us. If one section is too loud or too soft, the balance is off. Over time, they start to understand that singing well is not about being the loudest or the best. It is about blending and trusting each other.
Sometimes they miss notes. Sometimes they get frustrated. But those moments are part of the process. Each mistake helps them grow. Each correction makes the group stronger. They notice small improvements, like a cleaner ending or a smoother harmony. Those small wins build our confidence. On the day of the contest, nerves are normal. Hands may shake, and hearts may beat faster than usual. They listen to each other, and remember all the hours that are spent practicing.
Choir teachers Alisha Smedley and Raegan Thomas have put a lot of effort into this group and lets hope they will be proud.
Congratulations to our HS Mixed Choir and the Treble choir received Superior ratings on stage, which advances them to the state contest in April! Well done.
