The Escambia County High School choir was given the unique opportunity recently to do a recording session at Troy University.

D.K. Grissett, director of the choir and also the band director at the high school, is understandably proud of his choir and took advantage of the opportunity to do the recording.

“This is a culmination of two years of intensive training and practice,” Grissett said. “We began this two years ago and I thought the recording would be a way to give them something tangible to hold on to. The last time this was done here was in the 1960s when my father was part of the choir.”

The choir, made up of 25 to 35 members, are called ‘Sounds of Atmore’ and they sing everything from ‘Bach to Rock’ according to Grissett. It was organized when he first came to the school two years ago.

“I am an alumni of Escambia County High School,” he said. “I am glad to be able to work with these young people and we want to do some marketing with this recording.”

Cha’Nae Lyles, a senior, plays clarinet in the band and is the band and choir president. This program in high school has had a big influence on her life and she plans to attend Troy University and continue with her music.

“It was a great experience to be able to have the recording done,” she said, “I didn’t know what all went into doing a recording, I have been given a scholarship to be a part of the band at Troy and I hope to stay in music.”

Grissett said she would be good and a great asset to her community.

“She will do well,” he said. “She is taking her talents and setting the bar high for the next group to come through here.”

Ky’Toria Lawson is also a member of the choir and like Lyles, plays the clarinet in the band.

“It was a new experience for me at Troy,” she said. “We had a lot of fun. The people in the choir have been a great support for me. My mother died in January and the members of the choir were a big support for me and helped me through that really hard time.”

She plans to attend the University of West Alabama in Livingston.