Mickey Mouse has arrived in Beaufort!  Two trophies modeled after the well-known Disney character came home in February with the Beaufort High School Voices The 60 BHS singers participated in the inaugural Disney Jazz Festival, and earned the “Silver Mickey” 2nd place award for Vocal Jazz.  The Best Vocal Solo award was presented to the Voices’ Kimberly Wilson for her featured performance in the song “Is that the Way You Look.”
     Renowned vocal jazz musicians Michelle Weir, Steve Zegree and Larry Lapin judged the competition.  The trio awarded the BHS Voices a top rating of “Superior.”   
     In addition to the competition, the voices enjoyed special instruction time with the judges, participated with them in a jam session, and attended a special concert by jazz legend Arturo Sandoval.  “The Voices represented Beaufort High and our community very well,” said Voices Director Victor Varner.  “I could not have been more proud of them.”  
     Following the 3-day jazz festival, the Voices were given a tour of Full Sail University in Winter Park where Beaufort native Charley Webb IV arranged for the ensemble to record their jazz set.  Several Voices students are considering attending the school following their high school graduation.  Full Sail provides BS and Masters degrees in a variety of technical and management disciplines within the music, film and animation fields.
    Another special treat was attending a Cirque du Soleil performance.  This experience, made possible by an anonymous donor, exposed the students to an even broader spectrum of the arts and entertainment world.  “Cirque was mind-blowing,” said Matt Snow, a senior at BHS and bass section leader.
    “I learned something new every day” said junior Madelyn Johnson, soprano section leader.    “Being in Voices gives me opportunities I will never forget.”  
     Watching and hearing the Voices perform is something their audiences don’t soon forget either.  For the third year, the Voices recently performed with the Duke Symphony Orchestra in their benefit concert for the Keyserling Cancer Center.  The week prior, ten Voices members, selected by audition, participated in the 2009.
     All-State Choir, an annual gathering of the best high school singers in the state.  Beaufort High is the only school representing Beaufort County in the prestigious choir.
Congratulations to this hard-working and talented group.  Mark your calendars for the Voices Spring Show Wednesday and Thursday April 8 and 9.  
     Want to join the Voices and Troubadours?  Registration is underway for both ensembles, which are open to current or new students at Beaufort High School.  Contact victor.varner@beaufort.k12.sc.us or call 843-322-2173 for more information.

THE DETAILS:

Beaufort High School Voices & Troubadours
SPRING SHOW 2009
8:00 PM
Wednesday & Thursday April 8 & 9
Beaufort High School Auditorium
$5 at door
Or call 812-6251 for advance tickets