Road Tripping with The Voices of Jacksonville: Florida Historical Society!

Getting ready in the dressing room with Becca, Stacey, Shayla, and Faith!

Hello hello! ♡

This week I got to spend some time with my talented colleagues in the Voices of Jacksonville. This past Thursday, we went to Lakeland, FL to perform at the Polk Theater for the Florida Historical Society! We sang songs that mention Florida, are written by native Floridians, or included styles that were popular throughout our history. The program was called "Songs of the Sunshine State" and it was an absolute blast. We even did a costume change, and if pictures from the event are released you better believe (if I'm allowed to) I'll share them with you! I got my favorite color to wear so I was loving every minute.

It started at around noon with a 4 1/2 hour road trip from Jacksonville to Lakeland. Ten of us hopped in a van and drove all the way there, practicing our music and laughing the whole way. It's safe to say we learned a lot about each other, and I even got to teach my choirmate Harmony how to play one of my favorite games: Animal Crossing New Horizons. It was so fun to see her figure everything out and get frustrated at the same things as me. We also saw many cow pastures with which we did the right thing and mooed at them. As one should.

Everyone eating some delicious Publix sandwiches while waiting for the show to start!

After we arrived we got dressed in our uniforms and did a sound check, then went downstairs for a much needed dinner. With everyone at the same table there was lots to talk about. Faith's BeReal even went off, and we all took a selfie to participate! I still don't really understand the point of the app itself, but I guess it's pretty fun. It was nice to be performing again with them after a bit of a break!

As the concert started, we sang hits like "Just As Much As Ever", "Shove It Over", "Where the Boys Are" and my personal favorite of the bunch, "Strangers in the Night". That song in particular is one that we've been practicing for a while (even in the van), and it made us really happy to finally perform it on stage. We did two songs with the Jacksonville Children's Chorus, with one being "Conga Rhythm" (Rhythm is Gonna Get You and Conga) and the other being "When You Wish Upon a Star". During Conga Rhythm, the JCC had choreography and it made it seem like a party! It was definitely a fun experience for sure.

It's always fun to be able to sing with this one. ♡

We got home at around 1:15 in the morning and completely knocked out. As I look back on this amazing opportunity, it makes me so feel so grateful to be in this group of wonderfully talented individuals. Making music with them in my first professional choral job has been the best, and I can't wait to see where it takes me. I've loved being in the Voices of Jacksonville, and I love the fact that I will continue to be one even more.

Next up on the calendar is a performance for the city of Jacksonville's annual Memorial Day Observance at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall with the Voices of Jacksonville. After that, I've been asked to sing for some wedding services and am working on a very exciting opportunity that I can't wait to share... Hopefully I can tell you soon! ;)

If you'd like to learn more about the Voices of Jacksonville or the Jacksonville Children's Chorus (especially if you know a child who loves to sing), here's a little link to the JCC Website.

Voices of Jacksonville

Feeling musical (and a little tired),

Taylor.