Lithia Springs High Chorus Seeking New Uniforms

Of the 20 formal uniforms ’s choral program has, many are ill fitting and have been repaired poorly over the years.

Compounding the problem, the program has grown from 40 members to more than 100 in the three years that director Lauren Harper has led the program.

“Here’s the issue: There’s not enough,” Harper said of the approximately 10-year-old uniforms. “We only have 20 of them, and the chorus has grown to over 100.

She noted how the fabric in the uniforms doesn't match because of various repairs over the years.

"It’s awful when we go out to represent Lithia at Honor Chorus and All-State and we don’t have a uniform," Harper said. "The kids say they feel like old ladies in them. There’s nothing for the guys at all.”

To help remedy the situation, the choral program is scheduled to host a benefit concert titled "The Gospel Mass" by Robert Ray at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the school's auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students.

The choral program, which features roughly 88 girls and 12 boys, is trying to raise $9,000 from the community to purchase the new formal uniforms—full-length black dresses for the girls, and black tuxedos for the boys. The group is also seeking community business sponsors.

“Ms. Lauren Harper has worked laboriously and incessantly on improving our choral department and student performances since her arrival at LSHS a few years ago,” Principal Fred Ervin wrote in an email to Patch. “Although I am beginning only my second year at LSHS as the principal, I have observed Ms. Harper's transformation of our choral department and students from what they were (with only a handful of students and minimal interest) to now one of the most viable and stellar choral departments in the area."

Like Harper, the principal added, the students "have an upbeat, positive attitude and work ethic."

Harper said the choral members were motivated to seek new uniforms after witnessing the school’s marching band for new uniforms this year. Harper said many of the students are members of both the choral program and the marching band.

“The band has been excited about their uniforms because they look great. The chorus wants to look professional,” said Julie King, a parent of two of the choral program’s members and the chorus booster club’s co-president.

To get around the dated uniforms, Harper said students wear nice black clothes from their own wardrobe whenever they can. However, members must wear the few available uniforms at the top local, state and regional events, such as the county’s Honor Chorus event in January.

“I think (new uniforms are) very needed because we don’t look professional,” freshman Andy King said.

Harper said she’s seeking help from the community in purchasing the new formal uniforms because she realizes the economic constraints the Douglas County School System is under.

“The school and the administration have been amazing at supporting our program and supporting us with things we need,” she said. “Uniforms, when they’re close to $10,000, is a lot to ask for and that’s why we’re asking the community to contribute to a program that is growing so rapidly.”

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