All State choir member attributes growth to influence of others

Senior Josiah Bailey said he has been singing for as long as he can remember. Not only does Bailey sing, but he also actively plays the guitar and piano. 

If it wasn’t for his family and elementary school director’s nagging to get Bailey to join chorus, he wouldn’t be where he is today. Bailey said choir has taught him how to use appropriate mannerisms on stage as well as in life. “Even when I didn’t know it was singing, I would just bop along to the tunes that I loved and that developed into so much more,” Bailey said.

Bailey has been selected among many other high school students to perform at All-State Choir this year. The festival took place on Nov. 18-20 in Chicago. “It was a wild experience and one that I wouldn’t trade for the world,” he said. 

Bailey said he thoroughly enjoys singing. “I mean because it’s fun. It’s a blast for me. It’s a really nice release from the world, and it allows me to disconnect for a little bit. It’s also something that I can’t ever be the best at because there’s always ways that I can get better,” Bailey said. 

He also said the most difficult part of singing is the necessary control. “It’s not enough to just get the notes out even if they are right. There’s the element of control when it comes to how loud or soft you are singing as well as what style of singing that requires different control,” he said.

Bailey said that his favorite performance yet was when he performed with the concert choir at Chicago for a massive conference. The overnight stay was one that Bailey said he will never forget.

He said that he prefers group performances more because it shares the wealth in a sense. “That way it’s not just me accepting the praise or admiration, but it’s something I can attribute to other people and what they bring to the table. It’s also more fun being up there with people that also love being there and we have a united goal,” he said.

At All-State, Bailey sang the piece entitled “Thixo Onothando” for his solo performance. To prepare for the solo he had to run it over and over and over again. “Practice really does make perfect, and I practiced more times than I could count. Mr. Kranz, the choir director here at CFHS, has been an exceptional leader and teacher when it comes to showing me the ropes of how to do music,” he said.