A Houston High School graduate sang Friday at the presidential inauguration.
Taylor Bryson and the Missouri State University Chorale were among the singers and entertainers selected for the event as Donald Trump takes the oath of office as the nation’s 45th president. Bryson is a 2015 HHS grad.
“When Senator Roy Blunt announced that the Missouri State University Chorale would be performing at the inauguration of the President, I think we were all in shock,” Bryson said. “Some choir members were crying, others were jumping with joy, all due to the gravity of this phenomenal opportunity.”
Bryson’s group was selected for the inauguration in October –– long before the winner of the election between Trump and Hillary Clinton was known. Blunt is the chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
The MSU Chorale will sing “Now We Belong.” The group began practicing the piece in November and toured in northwest Arkansas last week to practice.
The choral has 50 members.
“We are honored that the Missouri State University Chorale has been selected to perform at the inauguration,” said Missouri State President Clifton M. Smart III. “This is an extraordinary opportunity for Chorale students to take part in an important and historic event.”
Bryson echoed those statements.
“We accepted the offer as a bi-partisan group prior to the election, and that is how we are approaching our performance,” he said. “No matter who the president elect may be, to witness this peaceful transition of power that our county prides itself on will be something that we will never forget.”
HHS graduate Taylor Bryson (first row, third from right) and the Missouri State University Chorale are performing Friday at the presidential inauguration.