The Horn Lake High School Mixed Chorus, under the director of Holly Beck, in Beck’s final concert before retiring after about 30 years in the schools. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
Horn Lake High School Director of Choral Music Holly Beck respects the legacy her students have created over her years leading the vocal music department; the superior ratings, the stellar performances, and the miles traveled to perform with exceptional music organizations, going as far away as London, England.
Horn Lake Director of Choral Music Holly Beck
Monday night, as the final notes of “It Is Well With My Soul” were performed by the school’s mixed chorus, Beck was painting the final strokes on her own legacy, making the Horn Lake music organization among the most respected high school groups in Mississippi. Monday was the final concert she would lead as its director, retiring after nearly 30 years teaching vocal music, first at Walls Elementary, then at Horn Lake Middle School, and since 2006 at Horn Lake High School.
“We still have some other things to do this semester, but it’s bittersweet,” Beck said after the concert. “I’m ready for someone else’s time. It’s time for someone new to come in.”
Beck added that someone new will be Carlton Copeland, who currently serves as a Lecturer of Music at Troy University’s John M. Long School of Music. His responsibilities there have included teaching music education courses, providing applied voice instruction, and directing ensembles such as the Troy University Gospel Singers (TUGS) and the vocal jazz ensemble,
A Miami, Florida native, Beck holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Lee University in Tennessee and a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Florida State University.
When you become as good as the Horn Lake choirs have in their performances, you get to travel and perform for, and perform with the best. Musicians from Horn Lake have sung with VOCES8 in London, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, and the Disney Candlelight Processional.
VOCES8 is a British a cappella vocal ensemble known for their rich harmonies, technical precision, and diverse repertoire spanning classical, jazz, pop, and contemporary choral music. Founded in 2005, the group consists of eight singers (two sopranos, two altos, two tenors, a baritone, and a bass). They have gained international acclaim for their recordings, live performances, and innovative educational initiatives.
The Horn Lake choirs have consistently earned superior ratings in festivals and assessments.
“New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, all over Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida,” Beck said as she listed the places the Horn Lake choirs have traveled to. “The biggest one was last year when we got to go to London and sing with a professional group. and it was just a phenomenal experience.”
Holly Beck leading the Horn Lake choirs.
An innovative activity Beck started a few years ago was to celebrate students receiving choice scholarships with “signing events,” similar to athletes when they sign scholarship commitments.
Beck said the most important part of her role in music has been to see her students come back and learn what they are doing and how music has enriched their lives.
“We’ve got folks singing in all kinds of different groups,” she said. “We have one singing in the military. It’s insane to see what so many of these kids have been able to do.”
