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Frequent childhood ear infections and hearing loss might be a detriment to some children’s ability to sing and perform, but not for Savannah Thomas . The determined and talented Alamance Elementary fourth-grader is the featured soloist on this year’s World’s Largest Concert DVD.

A program of the National Association for Music Education and a highlight of Music in Our Schools Month , the sing-along concert links students around the world through music. In recent years, the concert has reached an estimated six million students, teachers and music supporters. Students from across the country joined forces at 1 p.m. Eastern Time March 12 to sing a series of preselected songs and record a DVD.

Alamance Elementary was a featured singing group for the concert in 1992, 1994, 1997 and 2004.

“I teach every class — K-5 — to sing every song so they can chime in,” choral teacher Eleanor Nesbitt said.

Nesbitt said choosing a soloist for the project was easy. Savannah participated in the N.C. Elementary Honors Chorus in November , and Nesbitt knew her voice and talent well from working with her through the children’s choir at Alamance Presbyterian Church.

The daughter of Danny and Joy Thomas , Savannah had numerous ear infections growing up, which caused some hearing loss. She failed the school hearing tests. After receiving ear tubes several times and surgery to remove her adenoids and tonsils, her parents turned to an allergist for help. Now, her hearing is beginning to improve, and her singing ability is flourishing, too. She’s considering voice and guitar lessons.

“I learned it doesn’t matter if you have a disability,” Savannah said. “I would love to one day sing as a career.”

Savannah’s mother is proud of her daughter’s accomplishments.
“Just last year, we were debating a fourth surgery on her ears for hearing loss from chronic ear infections, so I never thought of singing as being something Savannah would do,” Joy Thomas said.
Thomas went to school the day of the concert and watched.

“I just couldn’t believe that was my little girl,” she said. “I couldn’t wait to have my own copy of the DVD.”

Nesbitt said she and the whole school were proud of how their part in the DVD turned out.

“When it came on while the children were watching, us adults in the room were nearly weeping watching Savannah sing and our chorus kids coming in strongly right after her,” Nesbitt said.

The chorus sang “I’ll Make the Difference ” by Moses Hogan, and the final performance was taped by Guilford County Schools.

Nesbitt said she strongly believes in the World Concert concept.
“I believe the children learn much by stretching their abilities to read and understand more complex music,” she said. “The World’s Largest Concert is a great event for schools around the country, and we are happy we could be a part of making it this year.”

Contact Jennifer Atkins Brown at 574-5582 or jennifer.brown @news-record.com