The J.B. Lyle Choral Festival, an annual adjudicated competition for East Tennessee high school choral departments, kicked off shortly after 8 a.m. today at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.

Eight schools, including Greeneville High, entered 24 different choruses in today's event for the Upper East Tennessee region.

The J.B. Lyle Festival will continue Wednesday and Thursday at Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville for the high schools in the middle East Tennessee area, and concludes on Friday at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga with schools in the lower area of East Tennessee.

GHS has seven choirs entered, with Kathy May as the director.

The Advanced Chorus began the day at NPAC at 8 a.m. Other GHS choirs performing throughout the day and hoping to score "Superior" ratings are the Advanced Women's Chorus, The Advanced Men's Chorus, the Women's Concert Choir, Men's Chorale, Women's Chorale, and Chorale.

Other high schools whose choruses are singing today at NPAC are David Crockett, Sullivan East, Sullivan South, Morristown West, Volunteer, and Tennessee High.

The event is sponsored by the East Tennessee Vocal Association.

The association's website details the competition:

"All Choirs performing in J.B. Lyle must perform three contrasting pieces representing at least two style periods. At least two of the selected pieces must come from the approved music lists ... Directors are expected to select quality music for their performances - no popular music or show tunes, please."

In addition to competing, the local students have a variety of jobs.

They helped set up for the event and will clean up and take down the stage.

They were also stationed at the auditorium doors to be sure the doors remain closed throughout each performance.

Students are serving as choir guides, stage crew and judge runners, while their parents, known as the Chorus Boosters, were operating concession stands that sold not only the expected food items, but black socks and black bow ties ... just in case.