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Harker Heights HS Ensembles Recording Album
The Harker Heights High School choir continues to add to its impressive repertoire of offerings for students and for their admiring public.
Known for decades for the Knight Club showcase in the winter, the choir formed a pair of acapella groups six years ago that won a first-time contest in the Dallas area its first time out.
Looking to add to choir students’ experience, directors Spencer Wiley and Amber Moon suggested rotating years of competition with making a professional recording of its own original music.
With the school year winding down, the groups Pitch Black and Iron Maidens finished recording six tracks with the expertise of Austin-area a cappella producer/sound engineer Mel Daneke.
Wiley transformed his office into recording studio and Daneke worked with students in pairs to record three pieces each from the coed Pitch Black and all-female Iron Maidens.
Students in the ensembles chose the songs to record back in August and they have participated in recording sessions in October, January and finished in May.
For Wiley, the added project gives serious choir students experience in recording to complement their experiences competing and performing on stage.
“She’s amazing,” he said of Daneke, as she worked alongside a pair of student singers, stopping at various points to give some hints and go again.
“She does a great job interacting with the kids. She creates a low-stress environment and is very personable.”
The album won’t be completed, including the album art, until August, so the directors hope to host a listening party during that time as students prepare to return to school.
Besides gaining some exposure to the recording industry, making an album is unquestionably a cool experience.
“They feel like rock stars,” Wiley said. “This is something that will never go away. It’s something they can show their kids.”
Harker Heights High School senior Madison Hinshaw and sophomore Brianna Warriner enjoyed their final recording session.
“It was really cool,” said Warriner. “I felt like a pop star. I felt like Arianna Grande in there.”
“The idea was to listen and to blend in. This is something I can tell my kids about.”
“I didn’t think we would be doing recording sessions,” said Hinshaw. “It’s a great opportunity to have in high school.”
The pair said they have enjoyed the experience of being part of Iron Maidens.
In 2021, in Pitch Black and Iron Maidens competed for the first time and the coed Pitch Black ensemble won the inaugural Acu Tex Festival. Several individuals also won awards.
The groups first formed six years ago and make frequent appearances locally throughout the year.
“It’s very different (than traditional choir),” said Hinshaw. “We are more independent and self-paced. There’s lots of energy and we develop strong friendships. We are family.”
“It’s very exciting,” said Warriner. “The culture is a lot different (than beginner choir). You make bonds with people.”
In her senior year, Hinshaw wasn’t sure she was going to stay in choir, but the recording project made a difference. “This made me love choir again.”
Look for the album in late summer.