West Lauderdale Chorus earns high honors

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
April 25, 2002
The only Lauderdale County school with a chorus has racked up a number of recognitions this year and continues to keep busy.
The West Lauderdale High School Chorus won four "superior" ratings in both district and state competitions and placed 13 students in the All-State Show and Honors choirs this semester.
Hurst began the program at West Lauderdale in 1995.
In the beginning, she said, the chorus included any student who wanted to participate. Today, Hurst said, there is an audition process and chorus membership is kept to about 50 students.
Hurst said the program has been self-sufficient, with students earning money for travel expenses by selling donuts, holding car washes or through other types of fund-raisers.
For this school year, the Lauderdale County School District funded half of the program's budget. It's unclear what will happen next year.
Hurst said parents of chorus members are considering forming a booster club for the program. She said music is important because it is fulfilling in many ways.
John Gaskin, a senior, said his family moved close to West Lauderdale High School about three years ago partly because of the chorus program offered there. Gaskin is a former San Diego resident.
Katie White is also senior. She loves to sing and has been in the chorus for two years.
With the contest season over, students are learning new show choir music and will perform their end-of-the-year concert at 7 p.m. May 16 at Meridian Community College. Admission is free.
Every two years, the chorus records a compact disc. This year's disc, "Sing and Rejoice," was recorded live March 25 at Highland Baptist Church in Meridian.
Hurst said the CD should be available in about four weeks and will cost $10. The price covers the production of the compact disc; any money remaining goes back into the program.