PHS Choirs: Ensembles

The vocal music courses place emphasis on understanding theskills and the public and private performance of music, solo and group. The vocal program is a good place bothfor those who want to become professionals and also for those who want to enrich their leisure time activities and become musically intelligent audience members. Those students involvedin and considering career choices in theatre, band, and orchestra are also strongly encouraged to take a vocal music course to enhance ear-training, sightsinging, and performance abilities. Because developing strong employability skills are so important fortoday’s students, these courses will help in career choices that involve teamwork, self-discipline, and participation skills. Guest performers/speakers and field trips will give opportunities to view music as a possible career.

This group is primarily a training group for female freshmen, and new orinexperienced students, in which they will receive vocal instruction,and develop basic musicianship and experience. A wide variety of music will be performed, of both concertand show (including choreography) styles. Ladies will be placed into smaller divisions based on voice part:soprano, mezzo (soprano 2), and alto. Participation and preparation for performance are also a mainfocus. Performances are mandatory,and will include OMEA District Contest in class C or B. For further development, privatelessons and participation in OMEA Solo and Ensemble are encouraged.

This isprimarily a training group for male freshmen, and new or inexperienced students, in which they will receive vocal instruction, and develop basic musicianship and experience. A wide variety of music will be performed, of both concert and show (including choreography) styles. Men will be placed into smaller divisions based on voice part: tenor, baritone, and bass. Participation and preparation for performance are also a main focus. Performances are mandatory, and will include OMEA District Contest in class C or B. For further development, private lessons and participation in OMEA Solo and Ensemble are encouraged.

Concert Choir is an intermediate mixed ensemble, performing a variety of repertoire that is geared toward the maturing musician. This group consists of soprano, alto, tenor, and bass divisi. Members are chosen according to ability level, prior experience, musical knowledge, sight-singing ability, and needs of the choir (for example, balancing the certain sections of the choir). Auditions are held in February. If the need arises, other students will be placed as a result of an invitation from the director. Private lessons are strongly encouraged, as well as participation in OMEA Solo and Ensemble. Performances are mandatory, and will include OMEA District Contest in class B or A.

Symphonic Chorale is an elite group of men and women, who perform a wide variety of challenging, concert style music. This group is comprised of four mainsections, sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses and is often further divided toas many as eight parts. Members are chosen according to ability level, prior experience, musical knowledge, sight-singing ability, and needs of the choir (for example, balancing thec ertain sections of the choir). Auditions are held in February. If the need arises, other students will be placed as a result of an invitation from the director. Private lessons are strongly encouraged, as well as participation in OMEA Solo and Ensemble. Performances are mandatory, and willinclude OMEA District Contest in class AA.

This is a select group for women, sophomores throughseniors. It is a three-part chorus(SSA), primarily used for outside public and private performances asentertainment. This course hasemphasis on vocal singing in pop and Broadway style, choreography, and time tofocus on the development of the solo voice. A high level of musicianship, sight-reading, and performanceabilities is expected. Auditionsare held in February and are based on the following criteria: stage presence,vocal tone quality, facial expression, and dance ability. We also consider faculty/advisorratings, cooperation with others, and being a team player. Students are encouraged to useindividual creative abilities and are given the opportunity of leadership. All students must be able to display apositive representation of the school. If the need arises, other students will be placed as a result of aninvitation from the director. Performances are mandatory, and extra rehearsals may be scheduled. Simultaneous participation in one of the core choirs is required.

This is a select group for women and men, sophomores through seniors. It is a four-part or moredivision (SATB), primarily used for outside public and private performances asentertainment. This course has emphasis on vocal singing in pop and Broadway style, choreography, and time to focus on the development of the solo voice. A high level of musicianship, sight-reading, and performanceabilities is expected. Auditions are held in February and are based on the following criteria: stage presence,vocal tone quality, facial expression, and dance ability. We also consider faculty/advisorratings, cooperation with others, and being a team player. Students are encouraged to use individual creative abilities and are given the opportunity of leadership. All students must be able to display a positive representation of the school. If the need arises, other students will be placed as a result of an invitation from the director. Performances are mandatory, and extra rehearsalsmay be scheduled. Simultaneous participation in one of thecore choirs is required.