Johnston first thought of the idea when she taught deaf children at a school in Utah. Johnston felt that her students should take part in the schoolwide choir. So we had these little deaf kids and hearing kids doing it together. She said she had no problem getting students to join, although no males came out. Johnston said the choir is challenging.
Members have to use ASL accurately, but at the same time use some pizazz.
Senior Roni Novak, a third-year ASL student, said the performance goes beyond simply knowing how to convey words with your hands. Senior Adrienne Hendrixson, Johnston's daughter, said the choir has appealed to students who typically wouldn't get involved with after-school programs. Students say they do it because it's fun. She quickly added that she doesn't drive. The choir will know how good a job it did if at the end of its performance the crowd is silent.