One Voice

One Voice Christmas

Formed in the summer of 1997 in South Central Utah by Janet Kimball Bird. The purpose was to give opportunities for students from different High Schools a chance to work together in the positive pursuit of musical excellence. The idea of a large show choir utilizing dance and song, and made up of students from rival High Schools was unique to say the least. The choir started small, nineteen students from three High Schools that had been begged into membership. Over the years membership has fluctuated from the first nineteen to seventy three. We have students from five High Schools and three counties encompassing twelve rural communities. Through trial and error we have found that the optimum membership for our area is 46 and have auditions each Fall to fill the positions vacated from our graduating students. The adult leadership for "One Voice" is made up of dedicated individuals that donate their time to the choir each year. Janet continues to direct and organize. Dr. Richard Barnett lends his years of experience as a U of U jazz musician to directing and perfecting. Laurie Huntsman handles all of the finances, scheduling, choreography and is generally considered the Mother of the choir. Deanna Cowley is our consummate accompanist and calming influence. This year we also added Judy Whitmore to assist in accompanying the choir during rehearsals so that we can divide the choir and learn more quickly the enormous amount of material we require of the choir each season. The choir has performed at Arlington National Cemetery, the Russell building and the National Cathedral in Washington D.C., Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Salt Lake City Temple Square, 2002 Winter Olympics, Mt. Vernon, Gettysburg and countless communities across the west. The choir has also had the privilege of performing with country artist Ty Herndon, inspirational recording artists Michael McLean, John Bytheway and Afterglow and presenting a joint concert with Richard Elliot organist for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Each school year we prepare three one hour musical presentations; Christmas, Inspirational and a Variety Show of song and dance. This year that equated to memorizing thirty six songs and an hours worth of dance. Our choir membership is made up of athletes of every kind, musicians, cheerleaders, speech and debate team members, drama club members, student government leaders, dancers, drill team members, artists, honor students, sterling scholar recipients, bold, quiet, rambunctious, daring, hilarious, shy, and very, very talented. We as adult leaders consider ourselves privileged to work with such great young people year in and year out and call them our renaissance children. We work together as "One Voice" continuing to strive for excellence not only in musical presentation but also in life.