Five years ago, then-6-year-old Brynn Toungate sang and danced along to Barton Hills Choir’s performance at Austin City Limits from the audience. This year, she will join them on stage for the third time.
For the past 15 years, BHC, a youth choir made up of kids in the fourth grade and older, annually performs during both weekends of ACL. Their setlists consist of songs from current and past ACL headliners. This year, their setlist includes artists such as Guns N’ Roses, the Beatles and David Byrne from Talking Heads. BHC director Gavin Tabone said he thinks the choir’s music and performances speak for themselves, which attracts audience members not affiliated with the choir.
“I think people who aren’t affiliated with the choir like to see our interpretations of tunes they probably heard a zillion times before (and) see kids performing (the songs),” Tabone said. “It’s a different kind of show and I think people appreciate that.”
Toungate’s mom, Becky Jeanes, said the choir contributed to why Toungate enrolled in Barton Hills Elementary. Jeanes said she’s seen Toungate and other BHC members who may be shy during the school day shine while in the choir.
“Getting on stage in front of lots of people is a nerve wracking thing for anyone,” Jeanes said. “Then you put in someone who is only a single digit old, that’s a big ask for these kids and their confidence skyrockets. It’s incredible to see kids that might be hesitant in any other soil, go out there on these big stages and perform in front of hundreds of people.”
BHC alumni member Evelyn Whitfield joined the choir when she was seven and 11 years later, she continues to perform with the choir. Whitfield said the first time she performed at ACL she felt like a rockstar and every year she looks forward to singing with all the kids.
“I love seeing all the kids who are a part of the choir do everything and have fun,” Whitfield said. “I feel like a proud older sister looking at all of them.”
Tabone said leading up to ACL, the choir rehearses once or twice a week after school and spends time learning lyrics and music appreciation, working on different harmony parts and practicing projection. As ACL nears, the rehearsals get increasingly intense, Tabone said.
“(BHC members) understand that the hard work pays off in the end when they’re on the stage they feel prepared and confident,” Tabone said. “All those things make the choir experience worthwhile.”
Jeanes said despite middle school activities taking up Toungate’s time, when asked if she wants to perform with the choir again, Toungate never hesitates to say yes.
“She’s like, ‘Yeah, of course. Why wouldn’t I?’” Jeanes said. “There’s always that attitude of ‘Why are you even asking me?’”
Jeanes said during the choir’s ACL performance, the parents and other adults in the crowd get engaged and connect with the choir, and every time she watches the choir’s performance, she gets chills and tears of joy.
“The spirit is fun (and) the music is fun,” Jeanes said. “It’s hard not to want to be a part of that moment and dance, sing and clap along. It’s truly joyful.”
