Students share spotlight with Starry Night stars

Five students from Sisters High School experienced the highlight of their musical careers when they had the privilege of singing with Sisters Starry Nights headline artist, Amy Grant.

Elizabeth Renner, music teacher at Sisters High School, chose Heather Schwarzburg, Patrick Hammons, Ted Hunt and T'halia Rodgers from her choir class to sing back-up with Grant.

Renner explained that there is a lengthly process that goes into choosing just the right song. Renner and concert organizer Jeri Fouts start by listening to the artist's music. They choose several songs they feel will be appropriate.

Finally, the choice is narrowed to the one piece of music they feel will be best suited for the students.

"We've never had a musician object to our choice in song," Renner said.

Heather Schwarzburg, a senior, was thrilled with her unique opportunity.

"After so many years of singing it's finally paying off," she said. "I can end my senior year with a bang!"

After meeting and practicing the song with Grant, Heather said, "It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. Both Amy Grant and Vince Gill were really nice. They were just cracking jokes at each other when we were with them. They made us all feel comfortable and at ease."

Junior Patrick Hammons is interested in pursuing music as a career. He plans on majoring in music, most likely at the University of Oregon.

"I would pretty much do anything to make music my life, whether it's performing, teaching, or even composing," he said.

Senior T'halia Rodgers was hoping she wouldn't be star struck.

"I'm so excited!" she said. "It's so unusual to be given this kind of chance. It's a big, big thing for me. We've been practicing a lot and we're prepared."

Senior Ted Hunt missed the sound check and practice Saturday afternoon so he wasn't even sure whether he'd be allowed to sing at the performance that evening. (He was competing at the Capital Conference District Wrestling Meet, in which he placed sixth).

Elizabeth Renner gave it much thought and gave the go ahead. Hunt was very grateful.

"I'm extremely lucky and very grateful that Mrs. Renner is allowing me to perform," he said before the show. "It's always been a dream of mine to be able to be in Starry Nights, and being able to sing with a superstar like Amy Grant is just an added bonus!"

Kristin Lamoreaux had the honor of singing "Cry a River" as a duet with Amy Grant.

She acknowledged the opportunity actually came through Tim Lauer, whom she got to know last summer when she traveled to Nashville and recorded a demo CD in Lauer's studio.

Kristin commented that she was more nervous about meeting with Grant than actually singing with her.

"I can't believe I'm singing with Amy Grant!" she said. "I get butterflies when someone just brings it up."

When Kristin actually took the stage to practice with Grant she said she didn't feel nervous but just blanked out on the words to the song.

"I couldn't remember anything for the life of me, but then Amy put my nerves at ease," she said.

"She asked me personal questions about my interests, college, and even commented on the twisted corn rows in my hair! It was like she really cared about me and what I was interested in. She was very real."

That evening when Grant and Kristin had finished their duet the crowd showed their approval, giving Kristin a thunderous round of applause, whistles and cheers as she exited the stage.

Toward the later part of the evening Amy Grant sang "I'll Be Your Friend" with enthusiastic help from Ted, T'halia, Patrick and Heather.

When the song had ended Amy looked right out at the audience and said, "Elizabeth has done a good job in instructing these guys."

Then she turned to the students and said,

"You guys sounded great! It's an honor to be singing with you."