SINGS AT MCMASTER INAUGURATION

Hammond's Select Ensemble was invited to sing at the second inaugural exercises for Governor Henry McMaster in downtown Columbia on January 11. The choir, which also sang at McMaster’s 2019 inauguration, was the only group singing at the inaugural prayer service held at First Presbyterian Church prior to the main event. They sang alongside groups from Irmo High School, the Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, and the University of South Carolina during the inaugural ceremony at the South Carolina State House, performing two numbers from their Italy tour. Both ceremonies were broadcast on statewide television and live-streamed online.

According to director of choirs Steven Hillard, several state legislators called Hammond's front office to praise the Ensemble's performances and its professionalism during the day's events Alto Kaycee Tompkins ‘23, who sang a solo in one of the choir’s numbers, “City Called Heaven,” was praised for her performance on social media by State Rep Marvin Pendarvis (D-North Charleston)