Choirs and Vocal Ensembles

Johnstown High School
Concert Choir
Concert Choir is designed as an entry-level choral experience for freshmen and sophomores, or for those new to the choral program at JHS. Students will work on issues specific to their vocal needs, including pitch and rhythmic accuracy and sight-reading, good vocal techniques, breathing, and posture. This class also teaches basic ensemble etiquette and rehearsal techniques and will equip students to succeed in more advanced choral settings, either later in their high school career or in collegiate, community, or other choral organization. Students receive semi-private weekly small group lessons. In addition to rehearsals, the Concert Choir participates in 3-5 concerts each year, collaborating with other ensembles in the JHS Music Program.

Women's Choir
For women with Intermediate to Advanced skill in choral singing, this ensemble reinforces the concepts and techniques taught in Concert Choir and then seeks to build on those experiences. Members sing three and four part treble music, focusing on tone, blend, intonation, and accuracy. Members of Women’s Choir participate in small group lessons and may participate in NYSSMA solo festival and Major Organization adjudications. Women's Choir members also perform in smaller groups at Basketball games and other venues in the community as the pieces are ready.

Chamber Choir
The most advanced curricular singing group at JHS, Chamber Choir meets daily and focuses on providing high quality performance and rehearsal experiences for its members. The “flagship” ensemble of the JHS Vocal Music department, Chamber Choir regularly represents the department to outside organizations, performing joint concerts, singing the National Anthem at sporting events, presenting concerts as community service at nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, and serving the school by singing at assemblies and presentations. Membership is by audition the previous spring, and students are expected to master the fundamentals taught in Concert Choir and Women’s Choir. Members have demonstrated the highest level of sight-reading ability, vocal techniques, rehearsal etiquette, dedication, and a willingness to go “above and beyond” the minimum requirements. In addition to community service and local concert presentations, the Chamber Choir is adjudicated annually at the NYSSMA Major Organization festival and sings periodically for the Music in Our Schools Month concerts at the State Capital. Regular overnight tours are planned to expose students to different performing venues and evaluators.

Knox Junior High
At Knox, there are three different choruses the students may participate in. They are the Purple Chorus, the Gold Chorus, and the Select Chorus. Theses chorus classes are designed to promote musical growth in every student by further developing vocal skills and learning to read music. Although primarily performance based, there is a strong emphasis on sight-reading, ear training, and basic music theory. The course is designed as a comprehensive approach to musicianship giving students an opportunity to listen, sing, evaluate, and study different styles of music.

The Purple Chorus consists of mostly seventh graders and is primarily a two-part chorus. The Gold Chorus consists of mostly eighth graders and is primarily a three-part chorus. The Select Chorus is an optional chorus in which the students join by audition. In the Select Chorus, the students pick their own music and put together their own choreography.

Elementary Chorus
Elementary students in grades 5 & 6 have the opportunity to join their home schools' elementary choral ensemble under the direction of Miss Jenna Poling. Students learn vocal technique and musicianship, music reading skills, discover diverse music genres, apply concepts learned in their general music class and gain valuable performing experience to prepare them for their continued school music education at Knox and JHS.

During their choral year, students perform a festive Winter Concert at their home school, various school assembly programs, and a Spring All City Concert in May with all three elementary school choirs. Additionally, choral students have the opportunity to perform as part of an All City Select Prism Choir at Johnstown High School to celebrate Music in Our Schools Month in March. An All County Select Elementary Chorus also performs at an annual Festival, providing choral students the opportunity to perform with other students from Fulton County.


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