AOL’s ECHO Choir trained diligently for Jazz Fest

After performing at several impressive places and events this year, including appearances on FOX 8 News and at a luncheon for Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, nothing compared to the ECHO Choir of the Academy of Our Lady being asked to perform at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

The ECHO girls prepared for weeks to showcase their talents to the coordinators of the Gospel Tent from Jazz Fest, and the moment finally came. 

“This has been a tremendous journey for me over 11-plus years,” said Clark Knighten, Academy of Our Lady’s music teacher and legendary choir director.

Senior swan song 

When Knighten told the ECHO members they would be performing at Jazz Fest, it was certainly a bittersweet moment for many of the seniors. Their final moments with the “family” they call the ECHO happened at Jazz Fest on the afternoon of April 25.

Senior Kayla Boudreaux, a second-year ECHO member, said Knighten broke the exciting news right before the choir was scheduled to sing at an open house last fall.

“We screamed, ‘Oh my gosh, thank goodness … we did it! We did it! We accomplished it!’” Boudreaux recalled.

The choir members began planning and practicing with Knighten as soon as their next class period rolled around. After Knighten began to help the ECHO members tap into their inner “gospel,” it quickly became clear that this was going to be more of a challenge than it seemed. 

 “I am trying to keep them comfortable with being who they are, but also have them realize this is a different stage from anything they’ve ever performed on,” said Knighten, who has performed at Jazz Fest 10 times previously. 

Music made an impact

The musical and vocal talent of the students in the ECHO has never fallen short, but they had to work on their confidence. They helped each other. Many of the girls knew the ECHO “family” was the place to go when they needed to collectively enjoy their common love of music. 

“ECHO has impacted my life by being like a home away from home,” Boudreaux said. “It’s a place that’s made me laugh, and a place where I can do what I enjoy … singing and music.”

Senior Sophie Croy, who has been in the choir for three years, said the joint music experience “has made school so much more bearable, like having that outlet to go sing. … It feels like a weight lifted off our shoulders.” 

The choir overcame many challenges this year, such as canceled performances, sick days and a rough journey to Jazz Fest, but the singers never failed to stick together through Knighten’s inspirational leadership. 

 “He’s definitely like a ‘Paw Paw Knighten,’” said sophomore Raychel Barnes. “He steps in like a grandfather.”

Jazz Fest was a huge milestone for the talented ECHO members, who learned about the fruits of hard work.

“My hope is that they will grow and mature mentally, but also mature in terms of the depth of their spirituality,” Knighten said. “I want them to understand what their music can mean to other people.”