By Staff
BECKY MILLER
Guest Writer
When they are not holding a hockey stick on the ice in an ice rink, they can be found strengthening their vocal cords on the risers in their school's music department.
Not only do Tony Kather, Jackson Wilson, and Drew Choat enjoy playing hockey as a sport, but they also share a love for music as well.
These well-rounded young men participate in the musical arts at Bob Jones – in addition to being active members of the Patriot Ice Hockey Team. All three agreed that having an interest in hockey, as well as singing, is something most people would not expect.
Wilson, 16, is a junior and has lived in Madison 14 years. He has played hockey for nine years and currently plays forward on the Bob Jones team.
" I've been playing for just Bob Jones this year, but I was on the Huntsville Hockey Travel Team for three years," Wilson said. The thing I like most about the game is the intensity of it. The reason I'm involved in music is simple, I enjoy singing."
At Bob Jones, Wilson is part of the Concert Chorale and Advanced Concert Choir, both of which required try-outs in order to join. The choirs perform bi-monthly. In May, the choir is planning a trip to Montreal, Canada to perform at the Montreal International Choral Festival.
For Wilson, in addition to participating in the school choirs, he is also a part of the Asbury United Methodist Church C.H.R.I.S.T. Choir. It stands for Christ Has Risen In Singing Teens. He is also a member of the Asbury Ensemble.
"I hope to have a career in medicine. I also hope to play hockey in college on a club team and to participate in college singing groups," Wilson said.
Some of Wilson's interests include running. He is a member of the 2002 All-Metro Cross Country Team.
Kather, who has lived in Madison for the past four years, has been playing ice hockey for three years where he plays defense for the Bob Jones team. Kather did play in-line hockey prior to ice hockey. He is a junior and has lived in Madison for four years.
"The best thing I like about hockey is the physical contact. The best thing I like about choir is learning the music," Kather said.
Kather is also a member of the Concert Chorale, which performs every other month.
"The district festival is coming up soon, as well as the trip to Montreal. I hope to play hockey in college, but am not sure about singing," Kather said. "I hope to attend college in Alabama."
His other interests include Play Station, friends, videos, and music.
Choat is the third member of the hockey and singing trio. He is a junior and has lived in Madison for 14 years.
"I have played hockey for 13 years and I currently play defense on our team," Choat said. "I play travel hockey and I'm a member of Team South. Hockey is an extremely fun sport. The game is played so fast. It's hard hitting and never boring."
Choat said he and his friends have a great time in choir.
"Mr. Fields, our director, makes it fun for us," Choat said.
Choat is also in the Concert Chorale at Bob Jones and the C.H.R.I.S.T. Choir and Asbury Ensemble at Asbury.
"My hockey teammates have a hard time believing that I would want to spend my time in choir," Choat said. "Most people don't question it, but find it interesting that I would enjoy two things that couldn't be more different. My parents always wanted me to try everything and then see what I enjoyed and stick with it."
Choat said he hopes to attend college and wants to continue both singing and hockey after high school. He said he looking at attending The University of Alabama in Birmingham and thinking about majoring in forensics or pharmacy.
"My time is pretty much taken up with hockey and choir activities. I practice at least three times a week for hockey and generally play two to three weekends a month with travel hockey traveling to places like Atlanta, Memphis, and Knoxville," Choat said. "This year, we have also gone to Lake Placid, N.Y., Chicago, and Detroit for hockey. On Sunday, I attend church, then its back to Asbury at 3:30 p.m. for ensemble practice. I also like to attend the youth group at Asbury.
For those interested in seeing the three on ice, Bob Jones' remaining ice hockey game will be held on Friday February 14, at 6 p.m. at the Wilcoxon Ice Plex on Leeman Ferry Road in Huntsville. The Bob Jones Concert Chorale will be performing on the afternoon of Sunday, March 2, at the Zompa Auditorium at Bob Jones.