Dr. Everett McCorvey on What it Means to Sing at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event

K3DE Interviews Solo Tenorist, Conductor, and Professor of Voice Dr. Everett McCorvey about his role in the competition's formal proceedings, and his thoughts on the unique performance experience.

Photo 1 Credit: Photo by William Arnold Photography https://www.everettmccorvey.com/

Photo 2 Credit: Presentation of Colors provided by the Kentucky Horse Park Mounted Police. RedBayStock.com Photo.

The Man with the Microphone, Dr. Everett McCorvey

Dr. Everett McCorvey, the founder and music director of the American Spiritual Ensemble, the director and the executive producer of the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre, amongst many more titles and accolades, will sing “The Star Spangled Banner” and “My Old Kentucky Home” at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event on Sunday, the final day of the competition. 

Alongside the Presentation of Colors provided by the Kentucky Horse Park Mounted Police, this tradition marks one of the more spectacular moments of the event outside of the competitor's performances.

Dr. Everett McCorvey was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to speak with us recently about what makes this annual moment at the K3DE so unique to the region, the spectators, and his family. 

Read on and learn what to expect from one of the event’s greatest cultural contributors, and how he feels about his role and involvement with this time-honored tradition. 

Home Away from Home

Dr. McCorvey, you are originally from Montgomery, Alabama, but since 1991 have lived and worked in Lexington, Kentucky. Does being involved in such a large, regional tradition as the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event feel different than performing in cities outside your adopted home?

This came up in conversation just this week with some friends of mine. One thing that makes “Kentucky” Kentucky is that there are so many things we have here that you do not get in other places. Here in the heart of Central Kentucky the equine industry rises above like not other city in the world. Who else has the Kentucky Horse Park? A place dedicated to the enjoyment of horses. Then there’s Keeneland – just so many ways to be educated and entertained by the horse.

When approached to sing for the Kentucky Three-Day Event, I was so honored. Throughout the years my kids got involved with the Event and horses in general. My oldest daughter caught the bug and here in Kentucky may be one of the only places where you can learn how to ride a horse at the YMCA. We leased our first horse when my daughter was eight years old and attending the K3DE year after year was how she and I bonded. She even bought her first pair of boots from one of the vendors at the Event and today she is an eventer.

In an interview with USEA, Senior Director of Competition for Equestrian Event Inc, Vanessa Coleman mentioned that although the singing of the national anthem is typical for sporting events, it is less common at equestrian events. Do you feel a sense of pride having been involved in this way with the Kentucky Three-Day Event?

Very much so. What is amazing to me is that I feel the National Anthem should be sung at every event. I tell my students that you must learn the National Anthem but in Kentucky you also have to know the Kentucky National Anthem – My Old Kentucky Home. This is a tradition like no other. It’s really exciting to sing this for people coming from other places and they get to learn about Kentucky when traveling here. Few states have such a song dedicated like we do.

Making Memories at the K3DE

When you are not leading 20,000 people in singing the national anthem, what are your favorite parts of the event? Has there been a favorite Kentucky Three-Day Event memory over the years?

Well, my absolute favorite part of the event is being with my daughter. Since the mid nineties when she was just 8 years old we’ve loved coming out to the Kentucky Three-Day Event together, especially on Thursday or Friday and take advantage of all the vendors and watch the various events happening. My daughter is enamored and enthralled about all things equine! Even as shes grown up, she still comes in for the Three-Day Event to see it on the weekend. 

The K3DE event aside, this is not the first large-scale equestrian-based event hosted at the Kentucky Horse Park that you have been involved with. Could you tell us what it was like to be the Executive Director of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Alltech 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games?

The World Equestrian Games were such an amazing experience not only for me but for the city of Lexington as well. Their placement in the states and Kentucky created a moment where this place grew from a small town to a small city with big city values. It was that special “can do” spirit that was embraced by all the participants, organizers, and visitors that helped Lexington achieve this status when put on the world stage. And not only did this happen at the Kentucky Horse Park but amongst the communities downtown as well. I was so proud to be involved in a portion of that, especially given the fact that we all came together to help tell Lexington’s story with those opening ceremonies through the Arts.

I took a year off from my role at The University of Kentucky to put together those ceremonies, and I helped a little with the 2014 event in France as a consultant. But this was a time I will never forget. There was a pride in Lexington that has not been matched since. Particularly, I remember Wynona Judd singing “My Old Kentucky Home” at sunset.

Perusing the Songbook, Expanding the Repertoire 

What piece would you choose if EEI asked you to sing one more song in addition to “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “My Old Kentucky Home”?

If I could add to this list, I would love to perform “America the Beautiful”, or “God Bless America”. Both of these songs encourage people to sing, and in a crowded room, theater or arena disarms us and brings everyone together.

Any final thoughts on the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event?

The Kentucky Three-Day Event is so unique. If people in the area, or from anywhere, have not been out to the Kentucky Three-Day, they should come out and enjoy the uniqueness of the Kentucky Horse Park and the highest level of athleticism of equestrian sport. It’s quite intriguing to see the relationship between the horse and rider because their communication is quite extraordinary. I relate it to singing. For example, when you experience famous singers at a large venue or special performance, such as Luciano Pavarotti or Renée Fleming, they sing at their top level. These horse and rider pairs, at this venue, for this competition, like Pavarotti, are also at the top of their game for the Kentucky Three-Day Event.

Sing Along on Sunday with Dr. Everett McCorvey

Join in one of the longstanding festivities of this year’s event by following along with Dr. Everett McCorvey, as he leads the competitors, attendees, volunteers, and staff in the singing of “The Star Spangled Banner” and “My Old Kentucky Home” to start the competition.

If you have not yet purchased your tickets, there is still time to secure your spot to the 2024 Kentucky Three-Day Event, one of Kentucky’s most historic, multi-day equestrian traditions.