This year, the choir department is featuring 16th street soul for their second year in the row. For it being a relatively new choir, it has really taken off. The singers are ready to kick off their season with their second major event
Although it's only its second year in operation, the choir is already undergoing a major change, changing the choir from being entirely female to being a co-ed group. Although the group is made up of mostly new members aside from one returner, Sophie Eastman, the quality of the group has not changed.
The students have been working hard to perfect their craft and make their sound quality as good as it can be. There has been constant improvement throughout the year and they have created some solid footing for themselves. Their first major event was their participation as the school board meeting.
“We went to the school board association and sang the national anthem. It was really fun because we got to experience going out and traveling to a different place and performing. It's a great bonding experience,” Eastman said.
The group has not only made improvements, but they have had a chance to show off some of their raw talent. It is a choir made up of nine unique voices, all with their own individual parts. There are many elements that make this choir stand out, but one key feature is the element of having a stand alone beat boxer.
“I feel like we’re in a pretty good spot. It gives me an area of my own to just be me and do what I want to do. They're my people. I would say I get along with them really well and I feel like we just go together, which is something I think takes a lot of growth,” senior beatboxer Ronni Watson said.
The group has explained that their bond is unlike any other and truly unbreakable. Multiple of the members are also a part of the other choir, Connection. Connection has been around a lot longer and has continued to grow along with 16th street as the other honors choir. However, despite the doubling up of many of the students, they express that they carry a different sound.
“I feel as if this particular group has its own individuals and they are all very dominant people, which means it's diverse in multiple ways which is something I don’t think most groups can acquire. It's always about trying to fit in where as with this group everyone is themselves and they’re proud to be themselves,” senior Tiana Hadley said.
The group has definitely made a place for themselves and plan to keep it that way. All of them strive each day to push themselves further than the previous day. They want their sound to be heard by more than just them and feel that they create an experience like no other.
“I feel like this choir is different because when you think of choir, you just think about singing and some dances here or there or when you think of an acapella group, you think of them singing some boring songs you’ve probably never heard before. I think this choir is different because we do a lot of songs you've actually heard before and we make them our own,” junior SaVannah Watson said.
Individually, the students have acknowledged the hard work of the rest of the members and have a genuine appreciation for the others around them.
“I just want us to keep working as hard as we've been working. We just have to keep pushing because we have it and we’re always going to have it. That's what we do, we push forward, we keep going we get it,” junior Imani Ruffin said.
The students have also expressed that despite it only being a nine person show this year, they want to expand. Not only to just their choir, but they want the rest of the choir to grow as well. Not only for them, but for the rest of the student body, they want everyone to join the fun.
“If you feel like you wanna be somewhere where you can be yourself and be comfortable, this is the place, because there is no judgment and if you mess up we're gonna cheer you on. We’ll make you feel like you’re needed here,” Ruffin said.
To them it is more than a choir, it is a lifestyle, it is a family. They want other students to join their safe space and participate in the world that is choir.
“We’re not nothing to be messed with. Look forward to more performing arts, don't just look at the sports department and think that's all Warren Central is about. We're also theatre, choir, orchestra - there is more to Warren,” senior Jordan Monk said.
Overall, the choir has really shown out this year. With many competitions and concerts to come, they plan to make Warren proud.
“Join choir, you will definitely grow strong relationships. The best thing I've ever been a part of is 16th Street soul because it made me who I am. It made me a good person on the outside and inside [so] just have fun with it. Highschool doesn't last forever,” Hadley said.
Sophie Eastman
“We’re able to do more and expand our horizons as a group We’re able to connect on a deeper level to the music and have more fun with it the whole goal is to just have fun”
Tiana finnley
“I expect us to [get] greater and better everyday. I also expect us to grow a greater relationship with each other”
“I feel very proud and accomplished and overall more is awaiting us. I feel as if even if i graduate or if something happened they will still grow on top of today”
SaVannah Watson
“Most group you see it's not a lot of diversity but in our group there is”
“I feel like at the beginning of the year I was really nervous I was really quiet and I felt really disconnected but now we're all really comfortable with each other”
Imani Ruffin
“We are all really connected. We’re very creative, we're energetic, [and] we’re very fun. We have a lot of good moments”
Ja’ir Cross 11
“This choir is a safe haven for everybody that wants to sing. If you want to hear real music this is real music. Our voices are instruments so if you wanna hear a new instrument use our voices”
“We’re the best choir ever and for anyone who wants to sing and be apart of a group come to 16th street, we have a lot more room for people to come”
Jordan Monk 12
“I would say we’re like a band of voices; each part is an instrument and we come together to make an orchestra”
“We’re not nothing to be messed with. Look forward to more performing arts don't just look at the sports department and think that's all warren central is about were also theatre choir orchestra there is more to warren”
Jalen Brailey 11
“If anything I have complete belief in all of us we all have our have our strengths and i know when we come together its magical we all just enjoy the moment”
“We’re amazing and even though some people their not really into the whole choir scene we sound really good and I would definitely advise anyone to come see our concerts or to just hear us in general. I want us to be put out there”