Ask four seniors at Natchez High School about their education and music has always been a part of it.

Kejuana Bates, Bianca Jackson, Joseph Smith and Roderick Whitley have spent years singing in choirs.

The consider it a great opportunity.

&uot;The experiences are just great,&uot; said Smith, who is also senior class president. &uot;We get to experience choir not only in state but out of state.&uot;

As members of the Natchez High School Choir, the four students have participated in numerous festivals including events in New York and Washington, D.C.

The reason for their devotion is simple.

&uot;We love music,&uot; Jackson said.

And it helps to be members of such a good choir.

The Natchez High School Choir consistently scores superior ratings at music festivals.

The four seniors also perform well on an individual level, often winning their own awards or being tapped for honors choirs.

All four sing gospel and say they have learned techniques to improve their singing and to teach them to sing correctly.

&uot;Now I’m eligible to sing (a) higher range,&uot; Bates said.

The trick the students say is to sing from the diaphragm – something some musicians don’t do.

&uot;That’s where most gospel singers mess up,&uot; Smith said. &uot;They scream and holler.&uot;

Whitley said choir is probably the best high school program for him because he wants to study music composition.

He has already written church songs and recently wrote a song for his high school class.

&uot;We’re trying to start traditions up around here,&uot; he said.

Writing songs isn’t difficult, he said.

&uot;(You) get inspiration and just go from there,&uot; he said.

And Bates has the added distinction of being one of several choir members who also plays football. Often his opponents make jokes about it and they ask if he plans to sing them to sleep, Bates said. When they do, he lets his game send a message.

&uot;My pads talk for me,&uot; he said.