SCHS choir featured on new single from The Hatch Brothers

Jan. 23—HUDSON — Students from the 2021-22 South Caldwell High School Honors Ensemble were featured as background vocalists on the song, "Running Back to Heaven," released by The Hatch Brothers last week.

In February 2022, over two dozen students visited Hourglass Studios in Wilmington to tour the studio, record vocals and learn more about the music recording process. Justin Johnson, choral director at South Caldwell High School, and Samuel Hatch, lead singer-songwriter of The Hatch Brothers, met in 2014 at Campbell University, where they both studied music and were members of the school choir. The two stayed in touch through the years after graduation and sought an opportunity to work together again.

"This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for students from such small rural towns in Caldwell County," said Johnson. "Opportunities like this are barely even on these kids' radar, and they certainly didn't think it was a possibility for them. Students got to experience the process of music production and music composition up close and personal. They have not stopped talking about it since the day we drove down to Wilmington. I am so thankful to The Hatch Brothers for allowing us to be part of their magical process."

A number of SCHS Honors Ensemble students shared their feelings of excitement while recording in a professional music studio.

"It's always been my dream since I was a child to record music," said Michael Orellana, a junior. "It's like a real surreal experience when you put those headphones on and start singing. It's really cool."

"It's definitely a great way to express your artistic ability. Now people are making music and posting it on YouTube and making millions of dollars," said Josiah Worsley, a junior.

"I never would have thought that I would record a song in a studio," said Katherine Maradiaga, also a junior. "I liked it because I connected with people I didn't know."

"I was filled with adrenaline," said Nami Greene, a senior. "It was fun connecting to everyone and having such a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was something so big for us."

"It was a dream come true for me," said junior Bella Keller. "I've always wanted to be in that world and record music and everything. We put a little piece of our heart into it."

"It was really cool," said Caleb Costin, a junior. "It was completely different from what you're used to singing in a choir."

Samuel Hatch shared that the song, "Running Back to Heaven," came from a simple vision of finding oneness in a time of despair and disunity.

"I believe a choir exemplifies a unified body, a family," he said. "I contacted Justin, a dear friend who I knew from years of singing together in the Campbell University Choir, and he was immediately taken with the message of the song. Within a week, he was able to get all of the funds and resources to bus the kids down for their first-ever studio experience. I've sung in choirs my whole life, from kindergarten all the way through college. I know what it would've meant to me to have had an experience like this when I was in high school. I'm forever grateful that the stars aligned to make this happen."

The Hatch Brothers are a four-piece rock band based in Wilmington with brothers Samuel and Paul Hatch along with Phil Milligan and Joe Sprunt. The band's music borrows from many genres to tell stories and narratives about love and life-changing experiences.

Their second studio album, "Reach You," will be released later this year and features six songs, including "Running Back to Heaven."

Visit www.thehatchbrothers.com or follow The Hatch Brothers on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to learn more. The song is available to listen to on YouTube and Spotify.

South Caldwell Honors Ensemble students are now looking forward to traveling to New York City from Saturday, March 4 to Tuesday, March 7.

"I'm so excited," said Valeria Rodriguez, a junior. "It means a lot to me because not a lot of people get that opportunity."

The students will perform a number of songs at Carnegie Hall, such as "Kyrie" from Rene Clausen's powerful piece called "Memorial" made in honor of Sept. 11th, 2001.

Johnson said that the community has been immensely generous in its support of the choir students, whether by showing up to cheer on their performances or by donating money towards the NYC Trip. In particular, Pat Triplett and the Education Foundation of Caldwell County have been incredibly supportive.

"They have blown me away with the money that they've given to make this trip possible for the kids," said Johnson. "They care about kids. Our Education Foundation for Caldwell County is like no other. I'm really thankful to that entire group who's really come through to make this happen."

For donations, send a check directly to South Caldwell High School or go to www.GoFundMe.com and search for "SCHS Chorus Program." Follow South Caldwell Choir on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for more information and to watch videos of the students performing.