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FLORENCE, S.C. (AP) — Music comes naturally for Lorenzo Vice.
Though he grew up in the small, sports-oriented South Carolina town of Alvin, Vice said he always had a knack for music.
"Music was always in my family," he said. "My dad was a D.J., and my mom was a choir director. Well, still is a choir director. She was directing choirs while she was pregnant with me, so it comes natural."
After taking one summer course, Vice will graduate in December from Francis Marion University with a music industry degree and an emphasis in voice. He is the only graduating voice student.
Vice spends much of his time driving throughout the state for various jobs. In addition to going to school, he sings in the FMU Young, Gifted and Blessed gospel choir, works at the Holiday Inn Express in Lexington and directs a choir at a church in Newberry.
"I like being busy," Vice said. "Sometimes it gets taxing, but overall I love it. Keeps you out of trouble, you know."
Upon graduation, his dream is to work for Broadcast Music Incorporated in Nashville, Tennessee, an idea inspired by FMU music industry professor Brandon Goff.
"That's my dream. I want to work for them," Vice said. "And long term, I have so many different things I want to do. I want to open a restaurant. I want to open my own studio production company."
Being a professional singer is not on his radar, although Vice is a talented bass. But no matter where life takes him, Vice always plans to direct church choirs.
"I'll never lose that," he said.
Vice credits his mom for pushing him to go to Francis Marion University. He said he had his eye on an out-of-state school in Virginia and was reluctant to consider somewhere close to home. But, Vice said, moms know best, and he is grateful that he took his mother's advice.
"It really is a good school," he said. "I see it now that I've come. I don't regret coming. I love it."
For aspiring voice majors and other young, incoming college students, Vice's suggestion is simple: Work hard and have faith.
"Put your mind to it, trust God and believe that you can do it," he said. "And don't worry about what other people say. Even if they say you can't do it, know that you can do it."
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Information from: Morning News, http://www.scnow.com
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