HMMS Chorus

02/17/2025

2025 All-County Middle School Honors ChorusREQUIRED $14 FOR SHIRT AND COMPLETED ATTACHED FORM. Hard copies of the students form can be picked up Tuesday, February 18. Any one who wants to participate must message me by February 18th. The rehearsal dates are 4 to 6 PM at DuPont Middle School from 4 to 6 PM on the following dates:

Tuesday, February 18th, Monday, February 24, Monday, March 3, Monday, March 10

ALL DAY REHEARSALS AND CONCERT ARE ON:

Thursday, March 13, Friday, March 14 & Concert on March 15

Selected students:

Maddux F.
Hanna S.
Danielle H.
Donna R.
Adrianna R.
Layla C.
Obadiah W.
Mario M.
Mireya F.
Brooklyn L.
Aubree T.
Gracie N.
Lucas M.
Raiah-Light T.
Nickole H.
Lucas S.
Avery A.
Aamir R.
Jessica M.
Cheyann D.
Jayla C.
Draven G.

10/19/2024

This past week has been an unusual week filled with amazing opportunities to meet, teach, direct along side of some amazing music educators in WV. On October 14, I got to go to Charles Town, WV in Jefferson County and present a workshop titled "Ways to Develop Beautiful and Healthy Children's Singing Voices". I always am struck by what might draw the most interest out of one of my workshops, and this time it was Sight Reading Factory. On October 16 & 17, I was at my Alma mater, Glenville State University co-directing their honor choir formed by GSU choir members, and amazing students from area high schools. It was an honor to work with the wickedly talented Sarah Nale, and incredibly gifted Joshua Allen Stubbs. I also got to hear my daughter, Akasha sing her piece she performed at NATS.

10/15/2024

10/14/2024

10 PM MEAN GIRLS, JR.
CAST LIST WILL POSTED FOR
HORACE MANN MIDDLE SCHOOL

08/23/2024

My classroom at HMMS for 2024-2025

08/11/2024

COMPLETELY AND WHOLEHEARTEDLY IMPRESSED WITH THE 2024-2025 Appalachian Children's Chorus' CONCERT AND CAMBIATA CHOIRS!!!

Today, we finished a total of two full days of choir retreat. The fullness and richness of their sound is the best. I am never impressed with just a LOUD choir. I am far more impressed with quality, resonant, balanced/blended, and free sounding choirs that can harmonize in three or more parts with accuracy.

FINALLY...ACC's official fall music selections:
Star Spangled Banner- SATB arranged by Donald Moore
Intro (It's You) - A ca****la SATB by Krishan Oberoi
Crowded Table - SATB arranged by Andrea Ramsey
J'ai vu le loup (I Saw the Wolf) - 2-part French Folk Song arranged by Emily Holt Crocker
Throw Open Your Shutters! (A Festival Madrigal) - TBB by Amy Bernon
Coventry Carol - TBB Arranged by Noah Reese
A Wintry Walk - TB by Ayrian Norman
Light One Candle - 2-part Arranged by Jack Zaino
What Was I Made For? SSA arranged by Andy Beck
O Come, Emmanuel - SSA Arranged by Elaine Hagenberg
Mary Did you Know? SSAA Arrange by Craig Courtney
"Go!" Said The Star - SSA Arranged by Ryan Main
Blow, Blow, thou, Winter Wind - for Cantare in A ca****la SSA by Jennifer Lucy Cook
lNau Maire - SATB by Ryan Main
Children, Go Where I Send Thee arranged by Kevin Johnson

Thaks to everyone who helped at retreat this year. YOU ARE AWESOMW! Thanks Bart Hodel for rehearsing my guys. Big shout out to Blaine Hess for ALL the behind the scenes stuff.

08/04/2024

Wow! I spent a total of 76 hours of perusing choral works for my Appalachian Children's Chorus. I have sooooo excited about the music I have found. Music in French, in Damara, and of course English. We will be singing aca****la, songs in asymmetrical meter, gospel with a twist, a pop song, and some classics (with slight alterations). I cannot share my finds yet. I will to my choir at our choir retreat at Parchment Valley this weekend. I can give some composers'/arrangers' names: Krishan Oberoi, Andrea Ramsey, Emily Holt Crocker, Jack Zaino, Ryan Main, Jennifer Lucy Cook, Elaine Hagenberg, Craig Courtney, Amy F. Bernon, Noah Reese, Ayrian Norman, Cedrick Howoseb, and Kevin Johnson.

I will also be introducing the new select high school aged choir: Cantare made of auditioned 9 - 12 grade members of the Concert Choir. ACC is making its mark.

If any one has a child in 6th grade and up that loves to sing, and is ready to challenge themselves to learn a wide variety of styles and become musically literate, then send them to the Appalachian Children's Chorus. Singing just one style is incredibly limiting, and can get tiring.

Any kids who says they love All-County Chorus or All-State Honors Chorus will enjoy the same with ACC but from mid-August to June. During the summer we are traveling to Portugal to be a part of the Lisbon Music Festival.

Who knows... I may even add in some choreography.

08/03/2024

REASONS TO JOING THE Appalachian Children's Chorus

THEY GET TO BE LOUD
Kids get told all day long to quiet down by teachers and adults, but in choir, they’re actually encouraged to make noise–– a lot of noise!

BUILD LONG LASTING FRIENDSHIPS
More than 42 million Americans sing in choruses, so they’re bound to find some new buddies. Those rehearsals and practices combined the excitement of performing together forges friendships and provides a unique support system.

BEGIN THEIR PATH TO STARDOM
Mega-celebs like Beyoncé and Hugh Jackman started their careers singing in choirs. Even former President Obama was once a choral singer.

IMPROVED GRADES
Reading music, memorizing lyrics, and singing out loud are all skills that can also be used in the classroom. Singing encourages communication, and increases vocabulary and language skills. Memorization strategies can be applied to all subjects in school.

TRAVEL TO NEW PLACES
Many choirs go on tours to exciting and faraway places. We are honored to perform in many unique places for special occasions. ACC will perform in the beautiful and historical venues of Portugal in 2025.

BOOST SELF-ESTEEM AND CONFIDENCE
It takes guts to get up and sing in front of an audience. What’s great about choral singing is that your child won’t have to be up there alone. They’ll stand alongside their peers and know that participating creates a sense of pride and spirit. Kids will take that confidence with them wherever they go—to participate in sports, answer questions in class, stand up for beliefs, or try new things.

NO SCHLEPPING
No need to lug around huge duffel bags of heavy equipment to singing rehearsals. Just bring your voice!

MAKE COLLEGE APPLICATIONS SHINE
Admission folks will love seeing your teen be involved in extracurricular activities—especially an activity like choir, which develops teamwork skills and self-discipline.

APPRECIATE DIVERSITY
Songs are passed down through generations as symbols of a culture’s beliefs and values. By exposing kids to music and languages from around the world, they begin to develop a deep appreciation of other culture’s traditions.

SINGING IS THERAPEUTIC
Whether it’s the performer singing out loud or the audience singing along, singing just makes everyone happy. Period.

08/03/2024

OK...I am seeing more Entertainment Auditions in locations around the state of WV. I will say it again only hoping people see and understand that if you sign a contract without getting it reviewed by a lawyer you may be signing your rights away to any original content and the their profits. If they are asking for any payments up front and promising you opportunities of a life time by selling the idea of a quick way to the top, then it is a scam. You will be out of money and left with finding a lawyer to get out of a contract so you can promote your original stuff without restrictions. If you do go, then question everything.

07/29/2024

Today we had 38 amazing kids in two grade range groups 2nd through 4th and 5th through 8th participate in the 3rd annual WVACC Fine Arts Camp. We have campers from John Adams MS, Poca MS, Horace Mann MS, Ruthlawn ES, Bible Center School, Edgewood ES, Sacred Heart ES, Kenna ES, Holz ES, Overbrook ES, Colerain ES, Chamberlain ES, Dunbar Primary, Kanawha City ES, Rock Branch ES, Sissonville MS, Scott Teays ES, Richmond ES, Madison MS, Brookview ES, Ruffner ES, Homeschool, and Dunbar Intermediate. We have great representation from many different schools.

If anyone is still wishing to participate then arrive tomorrow at Southeast Nazarene by 9 am tomorrow, and register your kid. All the instructors are fantastic.