Earlier this year they opened for Kristin Chenoweth at the Cobb Energy Centre, and less than two months later they were invited back to the same venue to open for another performer, Dave Koz.
Based on the chorus’ performance at the Chenoweth show, choral director Dana Lamb says the Cobb Energy Centre requested 18 of Flat Rock’s top singers to perform with jazz saxophonist Dave Koz at his Dec. 2 performance of the “Dave Koz Christmas Show with Friends.”
Flat Rock was the only school asked to sing at the show, according to Lamb. She says that the students were aware of the real-world opportunity they had been given to perform and interact with working musicians and persons connected to the industry. They worked hard preparing for the show, even coming to school on Saturday for a three-hour rehearsal.
“The students all said that it was one of the best experiences of their lives,” Lamb said. “They were amazing, representing Flat Rock Middle School as the only chorus asked to sing. No auditions were held for this opportunity; we were simply asked.”
The seventh and eighth grade Flat Rock Middle Select Chorus members who performed with Dave Koz are Kelly Andrew, VeRehl Brannon, Payton Cammllarie, Rainy Evans, Sydney Harris, Daisy Hooper, Jada House, Lilly Huffman, Willow Huffman, Nyah Huguley, Nyla Nelson, Hailey Parrish, Molly Pate, Sa’Mia Rice, Shunreico Rosser, Manoli Vlachakis, L.J. Whitehead, and Adiah Winford.
The group opened the show with “All I Want for Christmas is You,” and also performed with Koz during his rendition of “Let It Go” from the movie “Frozen.” What made the experience extra special for the students was the way they were treated by Koz and everyone connected with the show.
“Mr. Koz is an amazing musician who is equally humble as he is talented. He encouraged our students, talked and joked with them, and was genuinely excited that they were a part of his show,” Lamb said.
