Honor Choir History

The Vision

In 1998, Patricia H. Croft, President of the Elementary Division of SCMEA, dreamed of creating a South Carolina Elementary Honor Choir.  Her vision was to promote choral singing for elementary students in the state and to raise the quality of already existing elementary choral programs.  At the same time, an honor choir would provide much needed professional development for South Carolina's elementary music teachers.

The History

Knowing that a well-known name was needed for the first clinician and realizing what a limited budget was available, Patti boldly contracted with Henry Leck, founder and artistic director of the Indianapolis Children's Choir, to come to South Carolina for this new project.  Patti then successfully secured a $1000.00 grant from the South Carolina Arts Commission to help finance the first choir.  Patti persuaded Ann Cheek, Vice-President of the Elementary Division at the time, to be her co-chairman of the 1999 Elementary Honor Choir Committee.  Henry Leck made suggestions for the statewide audition, which are still followed today.  Patti, Ann and other elementary teacher volunteers listened to 600 children singing America on the first audition tapes. Mr. Leck sent a challenging list of music to be taught and the teachers of the members of this first choir began the task of preparing their students for the weekend's rehearsals in Greenville.

The First Rehearsal

That first rehearsal was held in the Greek Orthodox Church in Greenville.  The custodian rolled in stacks of about 200 chairs which Patti and Ann set up before the students arrived.  Mr. Leck charmed the first choir members, their parents and teachers with his expertise and charisma.  The first performance was held at the Hyatt Regency in Greenville to a standing room only audience.   This marked the beginning of a long-running program sponsored by the Elementary Division and supported by SCMEA.

Year Two

The second year, Ann Cheek served as Chairman of the Honor Choir Committee as Patti Croft accepted the challenge to become the President-elect of SCMEA.  The South Carolina Arts Commission once again funded a second grant to support the choir during this formative period.  Rehearsals in Greenville moved to a slightly larger Presbyterian Church near the Hyatt Regency where the performance would continue to be given on Saturday at the SCMEA Annual In-Service Conference.

New Location

In 2002, the conference and Honor Choir weekend moved to Charleston using the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center and it's adjoining Performing Arts Center.  Rehearsals for the Honor Choir weekend have been held at the nearby Sheraton Hotel in Charleston.

New Uniform Design

2004 brought a new shirt design. Culp craft designed the first logo, which was in use for ten years.

Nine teachers have supported the choir and had participants in the choir each year since its' beginning. 

Nine schools have had students in the choir every year since its' beginning.

The First Ten Years

During the Choir's first ten years, 764 South Carolina schools and more than 1987 singers have participated in the Choir.  It continues to give mountaintop experiences to hundreds of South Carolina's finest young singers and teach so much to South Carolina's elementary music teachers.

The Honor Choir Chairs

The Directors