October 23, 2019
By KEITH RYAN CARTWRIGHT
Rutherford County Schools
To say Haylee Casper has been an active member of the choir and theater departments at Stewarts Creek High School would be to understate just how involved she’s been.
She was chosen for the All-County Choir for the fourth year in a row — this year’s all-county performance will take place Oct. 29 at First United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro beginning at 7 p.m. — and earned a spot on the Tennessee All-State Choir in all three years of eligibility. Two of those three years Casper ranked in the top three on her part.
This past year, she was also accepted into the 2019 National Honor Choir. Casper, who is contemplating attending either Florida State University or Union University, was one of 400 students from more than 10,400 who auditioned.
She’s been a soloist and had the lead role in the 2017 junior varsity production of Seussical Jr.and will be in this year’s varsity production of The Sound of Music.
RCS:How does it make you feel when you get selected for something like the All-County Choir?
It makes me feel like I have gotten something for my hard work. Like I've worked so hard for this opportunity and I'm getting something in return. It feels — I don't know how to put it into words. It makes me feel like happy, like I have reassurance for the hard work that I've put into it.
RCS: You've done this before — several times — so what is the experience like?
We have different clinicians each year and, you know, with them comes different techniques and different learning and teaching strategies. It's really cool seeing other students learn and being able to learn new things. The same things in different ways. It's very fun and very rewarding, and I (would) say it's a very special experience.
RCS: Is there something you're looking forward to next week at the All-County Choir performance?
I am looking forward to learning new music and I'm excited to get to know (a new) clinician and being able to sing with some of my friends. Just getting that experience again is just very special.
RCS: It's one of those situations, where you guys come and really rather quickly, you've got to learn everything, arrange everything. What is that like?
It doesn't feel rushed in the moment, but whenever you're about to go on stage and perform all the songs that you have just been preparing for the past one and a half days, it feels like, wow, I had no idea what this song was yesterday. And now I know so many pieces of this and I know the meaning and depths and it's a lot of work. It's a lot of dedication, but it's fun to me. It is quite fun.
RCS: What is your plan when you graduate? Are you looking to continue music? What role do you see music playing in your life?
I'm planning on going to college for vocal performance. I plan on pursuing my career in music. It's really what I love to do the most. I plan on going to college for my undergrad and I'm planning on going through with my graduate degree. I love it — performing or teaching or just learning from someone.
PHOTO PROVIDED