VIENNA — Maries County R-1 welcomed students, families and music enthusiasts to the school gymnasium on Oct. 30 for the annual Show Me Choir Conference Concert. The event brought together choirs from four schools: Jamestown, Prairie Home, Calvary Lutheran and Vienna, for an evening of collaborative music-making, with over 30 students participating.

Unlike a traditional show-me-central conference event, there were no judges or scorekeeping at the concert. Schools were bussed in simply to sing and share their love of music with one another, creating an atmosphere of collaboration rather than rivalry. For many students, that meant they could focus entirely on the joy of performing, learning from other choirs and experiencing what it’s like to sing as part of a larger, multi-school ensemble.

Each choir performed under the guidance of a guest director/clinician, Keisha Jarrett, the choir director at Capital City High School in Jefferson City. The participating schools were accompanied by their own directors: Greta Lieser of Jamestown, Crystal Kimmi of Prairie Home, Kevin Zorena of Calvary Lutheran, and Rob Kilmer of Vienna. Accompanying the choirs was pianist Lauri Carr, whose more than 30 years of professional experience added depth and polish to each performance.

As the students sang, their voices carried beyond the gymnasium, echoing through the hallways of the school.

“This is a phenomenal opportunity for these kids to go up there and sing in front of an audience,” Zorena said. “It’s something they can take with them, a memory, a skill and the experience of performing in a professional setting that will stay with them.”

For some students, the concert provided a chance to shine individually. Micah Metcalf, a student performer, earned a solo during one of the pieces, delivering a confident and moving performance. Her voice could be heard clearly, even from the cafeteria, cutting through the collective sound of the choirs.

“Sure I was nervous and shaking a little bit,” Metcalf said. “But honestly, it’s not as bad as people think. Once I started singing, I just focused on the music, and it felt amazing.”

The Show Me Choir Conference Concert offered a unique platform for students to learn, perform and collaborate across school lines. For many, it was more than just an evening of music, it was an unforgettable experience and a chance to show off their vocal cords.