When students walk across the stage at graduation, they will remember the friends they had and the grades they made, but most of all, they will remember the class that got them through the day.
For some students at GRC, that class is Cardinal Singers.
The Cardinal Singers is an audition-based choir, open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
This year, the Cardinal Singers have many new members and director Kris Olson is determined to give them a high-quality experience.
“I want the feeling within these four walls to be something truly memorable,” Mr. Olson said.
The choir has also elected their president, Grace Owen, and their vice president, Josh Muse.
“I’ve been in choir for seven years now and this is my third year in Cardinal Singers,” Grace said. “I feel really connected to this group.”
Grace said she hopes to bring the choir together with fun activities and support.
“I want there to be constant encouragement from everyone in the group and view new people as more opportunities and an asset to the choir,” Owen stated.
Josh also looks forward to improving the choir.
“I would like to work a lot closer to Mr. Olson and Grace to figure out how to make the group the best we possibly can be,” Muse said.
One of the first opportunities for the Cardinal Singers to showcase themselves is their annual benefit concert, Chords for Clark, scheduled on Oct. 5.
Chords for Clark began in 2015, Olson’s first year as a teacher.
At the time, Olson was assistant director of the Kentuckians Chorus, the Lexington, Kentucky, Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Olson’s fellow Kentuckians Chorus members wanted to find a way to support him and his students.
“The guys helped us put together a joint Kentuckians Chorus-Cardinal Singers show to raise money for GRC Choirs,” Olson said. The show has become a tradition for the community. “It’s fun, it’s moving, and it’s heartwarming,” said Olson.
Josh said the concert requires hard work, and it’s his favorite event the choir partakes in.
“Mr. Olson always wants to make it really big and we sing some great songs,” he said. “I love coming into Cardinal Singers and immediately getting down to business.”
GRC’s choral program is nothing short of successful, largely because of Cardinal Singers. They have touched the hearts of many and Olson expressed his gratitude toward the choir.
“This group has been one of the most important things for energizing me daily,” Mr. Olson said. “I see the love and care in this group, and I’ve seen their interest. I feel the love in the room for music, for each other, and it reminds me of the importance of what we do. It’s been one of the most healing experiences I’ve had.”
Josh also feels strongly about the importance of the choir.
“Getting to sing in such an advanced, amazing choir like Cardinal Singers has allowed me to expand my knowledge of music and make some great friends,” Muse said.
The Cardinal Singers have positively impacted the lives of many students, teachers, and the community.
On Saturday, Oct. 5, the choir will perform at Leeds Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. where they will continue to affect the lives of many more.
“Music is the universal language.” Josh said. “It can reach regions of a person that nothing else can. Cardinal Singers is a way for our school to bring something a little nicer to our community.”
