The ten year old girl stands with microphone in hand, belting out the National Anthem to the Har-Ber blue colored crowd. The bleachers, packed full of fans that stand with their right hand over their heart, listen to the girl carry the song through the whole football stadium. Once she hits the final note, the girl, now sophomore Kenzie Chronister, lowers the microphone and listens to the crowd’s applause.

“Whenever I sing for big events, the love I feel during and after is why I love to do it,” Chronister said.

Chronister has been chasing after that feeling she gets after she shares her voice ever since her first fifth grade voice lesson. Through local karaoke bars, sporting events, and now social media, Chronister finds it important to share her voice with anyone listening.

“Singing is a way of expressing yourself and share what you have to say to the world,” Chronister said.

Chronister learned this from her father, who also sings country music for fun. He is the one that pushes her to keep up with her singing and practicing. He is also her number one inspiration when it comes to singing. Sophomore Allie Soren understands parents playing a role in growing as a singer, as her family was her main motivation when first learning how to sing.

“My mom has always been a reverse psychology person, so she would always tell me how much I needed to work on my singing because it wasn’t very good. And me-I was very competitive and wanted to be good at it, so I would practice constantly. My brothers also told me I was awful, so that pushed me even further,” Soren said.

Unlike Chronister, Soren does not perform country music, but likes to perform Broadway music and share her voice on stage. She shares her voice through various plays and performances she has done in the past.

“Idina Menzel is my huge idol…my role model. She’s an amazing Broadway singer, and I aspire to be like her,” said Soren.

Soren chases after the feeling singing gives her, too. It is something that she gets nowhere else, as it is just pure fun.

“For me personally, singing is kind of like a release. It’s just fun and kinda cleansing almost. I just have so much fun doing it,” Soren said.

Senior Parker Tate shares his voice through social media, usually while also playing the guitar, and relates to how fun singing can be.

“It is a really cool feeling, especially when you know you hit the right note and did the right phrasing of words or something. It’s fun, it’s really fun,” Tate said.

Tate’s main inspiration comes from Hillsong, a Christian group that worships God through their singing, which is something Tate does as well. He likes the message they put into their music.

“Singing is something that I really like, and I do it at church for Jesus and for the Glory of God. My singing is not always Christian, but it’s whatever, I like to express myself that way,” Tate said.

Giving the glory to God is a common theme in Chronister, Soren, and Tate. They all find it very important to worship God through their talent. The motivation of praising God drives them all to keep sharing their voices.

“I like to sing Praise and Worship. I went to a church camp this summer, and I was told that my voice is a gift from God, so that is what I should use it for. So I like to sing like that and show people what is truly good in the world,” Soren said.

Junior Tayton Autry also praises God through her voice. She has sung the national anthem at sporting events and rodeos before, but now she mainly sings at her church. She also sings Worship songs that she shares on her Twitter so everyone can hear the message behind her voice.

“The main thing that inspires me to sing is my relationship with Christ. He gave me this gift for a reason, and it is wrong to let this go to waste. I can use my gift for a purpose, and I believe that is what Christ wants me to do,” Autry said.

The four can also all agree that sharing their voice is important to them and is something that the world should find important to.

“Music can go wherever it wants. It has no limits and can reach people wherever they are at. People need to share that,” said Tate.

Questions:

Kenzie Chronister, Sophomore

1. When did you first start singing?

When I was 10 or 11

1. When did you first start sharing your singing? What outlet do you use?

About the same time. I went to karaoke places national anthem at games at football and  basketball games for Har-Ber.

1. Have you ever done any school activity that has taught you how to sing?

Choir helps the basis of how to project sound and control breathing.

1. Anywhere else where you learned to sing?

In fifth grade

1. Tell me a moment where singing has made an impact on your life? A moment you have loved it? Ect?

Whenever I sing for big events the love I feel during and after is why I love to do it.

1. What do you like to sing the most?

Country music. My dad inspired that.

1. Do you want to do singing as a career?

yes

1. Why do you share your singing?

I love music and I love to share the talent that God gave me.

My Dad sings for fun and also does country music. He pushes me to keep practicing and pushing towards my goals. He is my number one inspiration.  

9.) Do you have any inspiration to give to students who also want to share their voice?

Singing is a way to express yourself and share your voice to the world.

Allie Soren, Sophomore

1. What first got you singing?

My mom has always been a reverse phycology person so she would always tell me how much I needed to work on my singing because it wasn’t very good. And me-I was very competitive and wanted to be good at it so I would practice constantly. My brothers also told me I was awful so that pushed me even further.

2.) What inspires you to sing?

I like to sing Praise and Worship. I went to a church camp this summer and I was told that my voice is a gift from God so that is what I should use it for. So I like to sing like that and show people what is truly good in the world

3.) What do genre do you like to sing and who is your inspiration?

Broadway. I like sharing my voice on stage. Idina Menzel is my huge idol…my role model she’s an amazing Broadway singer and I aspire to be like her.

4.) What do you feel like when you sing?

For me personally singing is kind of like a release. It’s just fun and kinda cleansing almost. I just have so much fun doing it

5.) Why do you think people should share their voice?

Each person has their own individual reasons to sing and you really just have to find yours. Until you find it just keep singing.

Parker Tate, Senior.

1. What inspires you to start sharing your singing?

Singing is something that I really like and I do it at church for Jesus and for the Glory of God. My singing is not always Christian, but it’s whatever, I like to express myself that way.

2.) Who is someone who inspires you to sing?

I just saw a movie that made it more clear. Hillsong is awesome and their message behind it is awesome too. It kinda inspires me.

3.) What does it feel like when you sing?

It is a really cool feeling especially when you know you hit the right note and did the right phrasing of words or something. It’s fun, it’s really fun.

4.) Why should people share their voice/their music?

Music can go wherever it wants. It has no limits and can reach people wherever they are at. People need to share that

Tayton Autry, Junior

1. What inspires you to sing?

The main thing that inspires me to sing is my relationship with Christ. He gave me this gift for a reason, and it is wrong to let this go to waste. I can use my gift for a purpose, and I believe that is what Christ wants me to do

2.) How do you share your voice with others?

I mainly share my voice with others through my social media, mostly snapchat and twitter. But I also share it by performing too.

3.) Have you ever performed in front of people? If so, when?

I have performed in front of people multiple times. When I was younger it was mainly school and church plays, choir, and singing the National Anthem at baseball games and rodeos. But more so now it’s at church.

4.) What is your favorite thing to sing?

More of the chill, contemporary songs. I just feel like my voice works really well with those kinds of songs, and it’s fun to sing something that I can really get into and feel

5.) What is the best feedback you have been given?

The best feedback I’ve ever gotten is  really just from my friends and family telling me how great I’ve done and that they’re proud I’m using my voice in a way that might someday affect someone in a positive way. It’s definitely encouraging to hear words like that.

6.) Why do you think it is important for your voice and music to be shared?

Because it’s a way to express yourself and just put all your emotions into what you’re singing. I do encourage others to share their voice because people can tell when you’re truly passionate about what you’re doing, not only in music but in everything, and I think it’s a really great way to have fun but also challenge yourself.