Elementary Music/Music Technology Blog

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of having 10 of my elementary students participate in the NJ Honors Choir. If you have never heard of this group or have always wondered about it, let me share with you some details because my school has participated in it for the past 8 years.

In the October Issue of TEMPO, the NJMEA periodical, the audition requirements and forms appear for the NJ Honors Choir. There are two divisions, Elementary Honors Choir for grades 4-6, and Jr. High Honors Choir for grades 7-9. The auditions are taped, not live. By early January, I must have my auditions all recorded each on a separate CD (or tape…but use digital recording either way for the best results), and sent off to the proper address. Side note: I use GarageBand with the SnowBall microphone to record my students this year. In years past, I have used Digital Performer and a Shure SM58 microphone. The current audition fee is $5 per student. By mid-February, I find out who auditioned successfully. I then send back the permission form and $25 per each student who auditioned successfully. This fee covers the concert music and administrative expenses. By mid-March, I receive the concert music, which is about 6 pieces per each group and then 1 combined piece. I work with my students on the music to get it memorized and musically phrased the way the conductor has noted. On the last Saturday of April, my students participate in a rehearsal from 9-1 with all of the other students who made it in, usually at a central NJ location. On the first Saturday of May, all of the students gather at a school auditorium–this year it was the beautiful JP Case Middle School (their music facilities are amazing!) in Flemington, NJ–to rehearse and perform the concert. This day runs 9 am to approximately 6 pm. The concert runs from 4:30-6:00 and the tickets are $5 each.

This year the elementary portion of the concert was directed by Kenneth Hess and the junior high portion was directed by Thomas Shelton. Both did a superb job. My students had a blast singing the songs, performing in the wonderful facilities, and meeting other students. I extend special thanks to the coordinator, Deborah Mello, the managers, Janelle Heise, Patricia Joyce, and Edel Thomas, our host for last Saturday’s rehearsal, Jennifer Sellman, and our host for the final rehearsal and concert, Rosemary Nagy. If you teach music, or direct a choral group in NJ, I recommend you encouraging your students to audition for these fine ensembles.