Vaughn Chapel was on holy ghost fire with music and fellowship on April 11 during the Rootin’ Tootin’ Hootenanny.
Presented by Orchestra Appalachia and the Panther Choral Choir directed by Emily Blankenship-Tucker, the performances were a celebration of Appalachian culture through a mix of folk and gospel tunes.
Family and friends were invited to come and enjoy an afternoon of musical performances that featured several songs that they had been working on as a group to perfect throughout the semester. These performances highlighted the collaborative spirit and dedication of the students as performers on stage.
“It was a wonderful time to sing with friends and to fellowship with other artists”, explained Keyshawn Muse, first-year.
These performances were the culmination of months of hard work and dedication. For seniors, this concert carried that much more weight and emotion.
“It has been an honor to play with these people for the last four years” stated Emily Walker, senior, during her opening comments of the ceremony.
The choir moved the audience with performances of “Jesu Jabula”, “Earth Song”, and “At the River”, while “Orchestra Appalachia” stirred hearts with “Hand on the Plow”, “Fishers of Men”, and “Because He Lives”.
“’Earth Song’ has dissonance that clashes and collides beautifully,” explained Gage Shelton, senior, sharing that he especially enjoys the beauty of one of the pieces the choir performed.
Layla Freeman, senior, also praised the event.
“The Rootin-Tootin Hootenanny was definitely something to remember. It was my last ever performance with the choir so there was definitely a lot of emotion there between the seniors. I truly enjoyed myself there and felt blessed to share the stage with them one last time,” she said.
Alum TJ Baker commented on the degree of difficulty for some of the tunes.
“[This has been] some of the most challenging music the choir has ever done, and I think we’ve done it very well. Every single person in that rehearsal hall has grown as a musician,” Baker said.
The Rootin’ Tootin’ Hootenanny wrapped up like a warm Appalachian quilt; full of love, spirit and connections that will linger long after the final notes.
