Talent is often wasted by low confidence and a hesitance to take opportunities, but Cabot High School’s Choir has a new prospect giving it her all. Bailee Hannah, daughter of Jenni and Scott Hannah, is a sophomore and a member in the Chamber Choir. Hannah’s family is originally from Arizona, but moved to Arkansas before she was born.
Most people who sing usually take it up during late childhood or early adulthood. However, Hannah has been singing since she was a young child, and her family always had said she would be an accomplished singer.
“I’ve always sang since I could talk I think,” Hannah said. “My family has been begging me to join some sort of singing group or club since I started school.”
Most families had their own niche, like watching movies together or a specific sport that all of the children played. For Hannah, her family’s niche was singing the same songs over and over together while cooking.
“I grew up in a Hispanic household, so it didn’t matter what we were cooking, we had to sing even if we were bad at it,” Hannah said. “Some of my favorite memories are of my family and I singing Christmas songs together while making menudo.”
In middle school, those entering junior high school were given a choice between many electives and clubs to join in the upcoming school year. Hannah was not sure what she wanted to do until the desire to pursue this hobby overtook her in sixth grade.
“I didn’t even think I wanted to do anything with my talent for singing,” Hannah said. “But after we were given the list of classes we could take in junior high, I knew I wanted to join choir.”
Entering any class on the first day of school was stressful for everyone. Like many other students, Hannah found herself tense around a new set of peers she would have to be vulnerable with.
“When I first started Choir class, I was very anxious and didn’t want to sing in front of anyone,” Hannah said. “After the first couple of weeks, I opened up and became comfortable around new people.”
People in the choir were divided by the register of their voice. Hannah was originally a soprano, but was switched to a different position in the chorus at the start of her sophomore year.
“I’ve always sang pretty high pitched, so I wasn’t surprised when I was assigned as a soprano,” Hannah said. “But as I got older, my voice matured, and now I’m an Alto 1.”
Hannah was not used to singing with others and was thrown into the chaos of a bunch of kids trying to stay on pitch together. Eventually, she acquired important new skills for everyday life.
“We had to immediately learn how to sing in a group, and after a while, it really helped me learn how to be an active listener,” Hannah said.
Being in school naturally brought people together who share similar interests. Hannah was not an exception to this, and quickly gained a crew that carried her throughout the many years she has been in Choir.
“Over the years of being in Choir, I have gained many friendships,” Hannah said. “But nothing compares to that first group in my first few years that I will never forget.”
Teachers were the firm foundation when going into junior high. With two schools combining, students only knew some of what would officially be their graduating class. Hannah found comfort in forming a bond with her Choir teacher, since she spent many years with the same one
“Up until when I got to high school, Mrs. Simpson was my choir teacher and I love her so much,” Hannah said. “She got to watch me grow up, and I also got to watch her grow and be pregnant with her first child, who is so cute.”
Students in Choir received a new teacher, different from the one in junior high and freshman years, to accompany them until they graduated. Hannah was disappointed to say goodbye to her old teacher, Allie Simpson, but loved the Choir director for Cabot High School.
“Mrs. Ashburn is my choir director now, and she is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had,” Hannah said. “I miss Mrs. Simpson, but I love having Mrs. Ashburn.”
Performing a talent in front of a crowd was difficult for any young child to do. Hannah related to her group about any jitters she had, and discovered that she was not the only one feeling this way.
“My first ever performance was in seventh grade when we performed our all-regional music for an audience,” Hannah said. “I remember talking about how nervous we all were because of the possibility that we would mess up, but we actually did really well.”
Feeling accomplished after a big endeavor was not unusual for students. Her parents’ encouragement helped Hannah remember she was doing well in her singing, no matter what she might have thought.
“Every single performance, no matter what it is, my parents bring me flowers,” Hannah said. “It reminds me how much they care about what I’m doing, and that even if I don’t think I did good, I’m still going to make them proud.”
Choir students participated in a tryout for Regionals, and an annual audition. Hannah became stressed around the time of the event, but relaxed after it commenced.
“Regionals are usually stressful sometimes,” Hannah said. “But right after the moment I start singing, it’s like everything disappears and the anxiety goes away.”
Competitiveness does not stop friendships from flourishing, and instead brought those against each other together. Hannah and her circle of friends felt pride if they were selected to take part in Regionals.
“I’ve made regionals a few times in eighth and ninth grade, but not every year,” Hannah said. “It is very competitive, so it’s hard to get chosen, but I love it when my friends or I do.”
A solo performance was not common in Choir class, and those who were picked for one were extremely fortunate. Hannah was allowed to perform a solo during a song and enjoyed the small spotlight.
“It is very hard to get a solo in Choir, but I try out every time,” Hannah said. “I’ve only ever had one, but I really loved it and want to do more.”
Different levels of Choir had different levels of auditions, and Chamber Choir was the highest rank to get in. Hannah auditioned for Chamber and was selected.
“Chamber Choir is the highest level you can get in,” Hannah said. “It’s highly advanced, and we do songs, solfege, and acapella.”
Choir engages in many activities throughout the year, but did not have a specific performance planned any time soon. Hannah spent her time preparing for her audition to Regionals, since the load of songs they had to do was different this year.
Hannah said, “Right now, we are working and preparing for regionals, where we have to sing three songs completely solo for each person.”
Pursuing a career in singing was difficult for anyone interested in the undertaking. Hannah had not made any decisions on career focus. She simply knew her passion for Choir was strong.
“I don’t really have any plans set in stone for my future career, choir-wise,” Hannah said. “All I know is that I love singing and being in a choir with amazingly talented people.”
Following through with an extracurricular from seventh to graduation was not necessarily ordinary. Hannah was an exception from the ordinary, and the length of time she participated in Choir taught her about working with others.
“Being a part of Cabot High School Choir has really taught me the importance of teamwork and working together,” Hannah said. “It’s way more than just a group of people who sing together.”
Those friends with Hannah praised how she treated those in class. Sophomore McKenzlee Bowers felt reassured by her ability to sing comfortably in front of people.
“Usually when I mess up, other people in Choir can be sort of mean about it,” Bowers said. “But, Bailee can laugh it off with me and make me feel like more than just my mistakes.”
Friendships were one of the most important things to retain after going through multiple schools and grades. Bowers was initially introduced to Hannah, and the two stayed with each other through thick and thin.
“Bailee and I met three years ago on that first day of school in seventh grade,” Bowers said. “She was one of the first people I bonded with, and I’m so glad to get such a good friendship out of a school activity.”
