Reunions are common this time of year, but the one that took place on May 20th was an epic event. The Sevier County High School Choir performed a Celebration Concert with alumni that harkened back 25 years. Two choral directors, teachers, students, and family joined together for an amazing musical moment. I wouldn’t have missed this for the world!
The SCHS Celebration Concert was led by three teachers. Mistress of Ceremonies was Ms. Jean Burkhart, director of the Seymour High School Choir (pictured left). The concert was directed by Nathan Rhea (center) and Peg Brasfield Welch (pictured right). Nathan is an SCHS graduate from the Class of 2000 and current director of the SCHS Choir. Peg Brasfield Welch served as SCHS Choral Director from 1991-2009 and was Nathan’s teacher at SCHS.
I walked in just in time to get a good seat in the performance hall of the Parkway Church of God. Since there were a few minutes before showtime, I got up to say hello to some very special people.
It is always so nice to see retired SCHS Principal, Gary Roach. He and his wife had arrived from Florida in time to see this event. Pictured left to right: Nathan Rhea, Gary Roach, and Peg Brasfield Welch.
Ryah Parkhurst and Deborah Webb waiting for the performance to begin. Deborah is a Fine Arts teacher and has known the two choir directors for many years.
The ‘Welcome’ and Opening Prayer were delivered by Mr. Roach. He is always interesting to listen to and we know that there will be a good story in the mix. Not only did he serve as our principal at SCHS, but Mr. Roach and Peg have known each other since she was in high school.
The concert began with an Appalachian folk song called “Shady Grove,” performed by the Men’s Concert Choir.
Next, the Alumni Men joined to sing “My Wild Irish Rose.”
The Women’s Concert Choir sang ” High Flight.”
Peg Brasfield Welch directed the Women and Alumni Concert Choir in “Music Down in My Soul.”
There were more songs to come. The audience truly enjoyed all the groups performing together. I had never heard “Nella Fantasia” before and thought it may the loveliest song that I have ever heard. Soaring vocals!
There was a special presentation at the mid-point of the show for Peg Brasfield Welch, a teacher who has impacted so many people. To begin, Nathan Rhea stated that she changed his life 18 years ago. Peg told him that “singing is a gift from God.” Nathan recalled how Peg encouraged students to keep singing and to keep choral music ‘alive.’ The goal is not to compete with each other, but “to shine together.”
My IPhone did not capture good photos indoors so I contacted a professional photographer that I noticed attending the performance. The featured image for this article was by Kraehmer Photography. Visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kraehmerphotography/ . The following photos were also used with permission by Kraehmer Photography. Many thanks!
(Photo courtesy of Kraehmer Photography.)
It is rare when a former student gets the opportunity to honor a teacher in a special collaboration such as the Celebration Concert. Nathan Rhea said, “I am so honored to have had the chance to direct this concert and plan it with my former high school choir teacher. How often does that happen? A student co-direct with their former teacher…how cool is that?” (Photo courtesy of Kraehmer Photography.)
There was more music to come—and it was lovely. (Photo courtesy of Kraehmer Photography.)
Anita Ownby Lipton sings a solo from “Order My Steps.” Anita always remembers Peg’s quote, “Music is all around us. All you have to do is listen!”
Drew Hatcher’s voice almost brought Melinda and I to tears during “Nella Fantasia.” What a beautiful sound! (Photo courtesy of Kraehmer Photography.)
Some of the best singers to come from the SCHS Concert Choir were present during this Celebration Concert. (Photo courtesy of Kraehmer Photography.)
After the performance, Mr. Roach chatted with two of Peg’s sons.
Alumni Choir members Marley Blevins and Julia Chastain Christ after the show.
Nathan Rhea, choir director at SCHS had a final thought about the Celebration Concert. He said, “Peg inspired me so much and that is what I want to do for my students: to inspire them to be better than they ever thought they could be. The SCHS Choral Department is what it is today because of Peg and it was nice to have a chance to give something back to her. Her former students showed up, sang and then everyone praised what she had achieved. This is everything to her.”
After the show, Peg reflected, “The students bonded as a group, made up of separate classes and all ages. Nathan Rhea outdid himself collecting the data and the history of this organization. This celebration was on my bucket list. It was everything, and more, than I hoped for.”
At the end, we left the Celebration Concert with this thought…
“Singing is something we can do our whole life long.” Peg Brasfield Welch.
Out and About in Sevierville 
What a wonderful story, very informative about the music of the night concert. I appreciate you covering the event like a news reporter. The pictures are priceless and getting those professional ones was so worth it.
Thank you, Deborah Sams. We have spent some quality time together in our past, and shared some momentus times together… Like the night Princess Diana died…and the day the plane crashed in the water at Calhoun’s on the River.
This night was momentous to me and I am glad we shared it, too! Thank you for being my friend and caring enough to write a blog.
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The pleasure is mine!
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Awww, Deborah, this might be the best one yet. What a treat to see and hear such a fine vocal performance. I’ve said it before; there are few things I love more than an good vocal concert or a good play.
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This is such a special tribute to our friend. Thank you for re-posting.
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So glad to have experienced that event.
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