The celebrated Gentry High choirs arrived back in Indianola last week with lots of gold in-tow after a weeklong stay in New York City. The choral groups were apparently a big hit in the Big Apple.
Director Harvey Jackson and his singing sensations earned first place gold honors or overall best in each of the categories during the Worldstrides’ OnStage Competition, Heritage New York Festival on April 27.
The competition not only featured high school choirs from states such as West Virginia, New York and the District of Columbia but from countries across the globe, including France and Kuwait. It was held at the Riverside Church in New York City, New York.
In competition, the GHS Women’s Choir won first place gold, the Gentrytes Chamber Ensemble also took first place gold and the GHS Concert Choir garnered first place gold.
The GHS Chorale Program won the Choral Sweepstakes Awards, which is given to the overall best choral program in the competition who brought two or more choirs to compete. The Gentrytes Chamber Ensemble won the Adjudicator’s Award, which goes to the highest scoring choral group in the competition. Jackson said it is also the most difficult award to achieve.
The Gentrytes Chamber Ensemble also captured the Outstanding Choral Group Award and they, along with the Concert Choir were invited to the Festival of Gold, which is held in five distinct locations.
In addition to the group awards, choir members Essence Baggett received the Maestro Award for Best Solo in the Women’s Choir Division and Marion Cork, a 7th grader, brought home the Maestro Award for Best Solo in the Chamber Choir Division. The Maestro Award for Overall Accompanist came back with James Adams.
In general, the trip proved to be an inspirational windfall for the students who received many compliments on their singing ability during both formal and popup performance opportunities. From an impromptu recital in the airport to standing on stage at the world famous Apollo Theater, listeners praised the Gentry High School choirs.
