Have you ever wondered who sings the National Anthem at home football games? It’s actually Gibbons Vocal Music, a fine art elective class, available to be taken by all grades. 

Vocal Music is an important part of the Gibbons fine arts program and strengthens students’ ability to sing, as well as their connections with the community. Aaron Brown teaches the class and inspires students to be more open and become more confident with themselves.

“Vocal Music has helped grow my relationships, and build a strong community with people at Gibbons,” said Gia Lashley, a Choir student.

Some people choose to not take the class because they feel like they don’t have a great voice, or are too nervous to put themselves out there. Mr. Brown makes it clear that all students are welcome.

“If we had the logic of  ‘I don’t know how to do it so I’m not going to take it’, what’s the purpose of school in general?” said Brown.

Vocal Music is here to help students grow not just their voices, but also their confidence. It is important to know that you don’t have to be great to start something you are interested in, you just need to be willing to learn, and Brown can teach that.

“Sounds are sounds and we just gotta learn how to make them,” said Brown.

The best part about singing is learning not just inside the classroom, but also outside.

“The classroom is only a portion of what we do. What really ties it all together, is what we do outside of school,” said Brown.

Vocal Music hosts many events throughout the school year at Gibbons where students can express themselves, sing, and build bonds with their classmates. Vocal Music also has the opportunity to attend other events that require students to audition and prepare to meet with hundreds of students at other schools.

Singing can be terrifying, there’s no doubt about it, but with Brown students feel like anything is possible.

Gibbons Vocal Music has positively impacted so many students’ lives as well as Brown’s. Overall, it gives students the opportunity to create bonds with people they may not know, and generate meaningful connections with people that also share a love for singing!

“Learning over time that what I do as a talent is also a skill, and watching folks gain skills in singing, makes that the best part about what I do,” said Brown.