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Nelson, Ainsley & Rush had the honor to represent SPHS at the ACDA festival in Rhode Island this past week.
They even got to meet the lead singer of the Pentatonix, Scott Hoying!
Middle School Chorus
Middle School Chorus
Chorus is a student elected class at the middle school! It is offered to students in 5th to 8th grade. Each grade rehearses separately and there are about 60-90 students in each chorus. Student participate in 1-2 band and chorus concerts a year and also do a choral concert with all grades! Our groups work on music from a variety of genres including world music, pop music, broadway, folk, classical, and more. Our 7th and 8th grade chorus groups also perform outside of school at community events and festivals. If you like to sing, we would love to have you in our chorus! All are welcome!
Chorus is a student elected class at the middle school! It is offered to students in 5th to 8th grade. Each grade rehearses separately and there are about 60-90 students in each chorus. Student participate in 1-2 band and chorus concerts a year and also do a choral concert with all grades! Our groups work on music from a variety of genres including world music, pop music, broadway, folk, classical, and more. Our 7th and 8th grade chorus groups also perform outside of school at community events and festivals. If you like to sing, we would love to have you in our chorus! All are welcome!
For general music:
For general music:
Student who opt out of band and chorus still have an exposure to music at the middle school. Music Exploration allows student to listen to and evaluate music, create music on a variety of instruments, create music in the garage band app, study music theory and history, and explore music from many cultures!
Student who opt out of band and chorus still have an exposure to music at the middle school. Music Exploration allows student to listen to and evaluate music, create music on a variety of instruments, create music in the garage band app, study music theory and history, and explore music from many cultures!
Middle School musical
Middle School musical
The middle school musical is the Little Mermaid Jr and the shows will be Nov 20 and 21 at 6pm. Auditions will be Sept 9&10. Rehearsal will begin Sept 15.
The middle school musical is the Little Mermaid Jr and the shows will be Nov 20 and 21 at 6pm. Auditions will be Sept 9&10. Rehearsal will begin Sept 15.
Middle School choral director
Middle School choral director
Jamie Swenson
Jamie Swenson
Middle School Choral Director for 16 years
Middle School Choral Director for 16 years
Graduate of Westminster Choir College
Graduate of Westminster Choir College
Saxophone, French Horn, & Piano; Soprano, Alto, Baritone, but a true Mezzo Soprano Voice
Saxophone, French Horn, & Piano; Soprano, Alto, Baritone, but a true Mezzo Soprano Voice
A little about Jamie:
A little about Jamie:
Jamie has a love for musical theater! She enjoys listening to musical theater and pop. When she is not warming up the chorus she can be found directing musicals for the musical theater youth program at Lyric Theater in South Portland or watching her boys play baseball.
Jamie has a love for musical theater! She enjoys listening to musical theater and pop. When she is not warming up the chorus she can be found directing musicals for the musical theater youth program at Lyric Theater in South Portland or watching her boys play baseball.
Jamie has been teaching in SP for 16 years and what she loves most about teaching is the opportunity to see the joy in music making. Seeing students exceed in her classroom where sometimes it is the only place they feel successful all day. The pride on their faces when they accomplish something hard together. The teamwork that's involved in being a part of an ensemble.
Jamie has been teaching in SP for 16 years and what she loves most about teaching is the opportunity to see the joy in music making. Seeing students exceed in her classroom where sometimes it is the only place they feel successful all day. The pride on their faces when they accomplish something hard together. The teamwork that's involved in being a part of an ensemble.
A humble teacher:
A humble teacher:
“I often have to play a part on the piano and sing another part at the same time for students to learn their notes. I say the wrong words a lot- ask the kids!”
“I often have to play a part on the piano and sing another part at the same time for students to learn their notes. I say the wrong words a lot- ask the kids!”
High School choral director
High School choral director
Darrel Whidden
Darrel Whidden
Choral Director at SPHS for 3 years
Choral Director at SPHS for 3 years
Graduate of USM & New England Conservatory
Graduate of USM & New England Conservatory
Piano & Brass player; Baritone Voice
Piano & Brass player; Baritone Voice
A little about Darrel:
A little about Darrel:
Darrel enjoys music so much that there were too many favorite bands/singers to list! He does however really enjoy listening to classic rock When he is not busy conducting or rehearsing, Darrel is an archry instructor at the Center Day Camp in Windham. Something that Darrel enjoys about teaching in SP is discovering and sharing with the community the wonderful talents of the students!
Darrel enjoys music so much that there were too many favorite bands/singers to list! He does however really enjoy listening to classic rock When he is not busy conducting or rehearsing, Darrel is an archry instructor at the Center Day Camp in Windham. Something that Darrel enjoys about teaching in SP is discovering and sharing with the community the wonderful talents of the students!
Words of wisdom:
Words of wisdom:
“Conducting isn't just waving your arms around; it is an artform, and the choir (or band) is your instrument.”
“Conducting isn't just waving your arms around; it is an artform, and the choir (or band) is your instrument.”
Thank you Darrel for all that you for our students in the choir!
Thank you Darrel for all that you for our students in the choir!
Good morning vocal students and guardians,
It is once again the time of year when I reach out to families/guardians of our choral program. As many of you may already know, students spend a lot of time in their respective music spaces, both in and out of class time. In years' past, we have collected small donations in the form of (mostly) healthy snacks, drinks, and supplies for our locally famous tea station. Below, I have posted a link to our sign up genius for your perusal. Thank you all for your continued support of your students, and our program; we are very proud of both!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0845A9AD2EA7FCC52-45675829-mrwhiddens
All the best,
Mr Whidden
Today some excellent student musicians went to MMEA All State Auditions! They represented South Portland with maturity and responsibility. GO SP!!
Saturday, November 8th some excellent student musicians went to MMEA All State Auditions! They represented South Portland with maturity and responsibility. GO SP!!
For more information about the Choral Program at the High School, visit the school website HERE
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