CENTREVILLE — In a crescendo of creativity and community, what started as an ‘idea’ in the minds of Queen Anne’s County Public Schools (QACPS) Choir Directors has transformed into an eagerly anticipated annual event. The 2022 groundbreaking Combined Choir Concert at Kent Island High (KIHS) marked the genesis, and now, in 2023, this has become a newfound tradition celebrated not only at KIHS but also at Queen Anne’s County High (QACHS).
In a similar creation that has taken Queen Anne’s County by storm each April when Visual Arts teachers host ArtScene at both high schools the same week on different days—following suit, these two North and South County Combined Choir Concerts brought together selected students from grades 3 to 12 to create a harmonious symphony of creativity that has reverberated throughout the community.
The first concert kicked off Tuesday, November 14th for students, accompanied by the esteemed QACPS Choral Directors. The stellar lineup included Luke Whitehair (host, QACHS), Betsy Babylon (Sudlersville Middle), Lucas O’Farrell (Centreville Middle), Windy Broadwater (Sudlersville Elementary), Heather Efland (Church Hill Elementary), and Mandi Lundstrom (Kennard Elementary).
Not to be outdone, KIHS took center stage Thursday, November 16th, for their 2nd annual Combined Choir Concert, featuring an ensemble of voices under the direction of Reanna Sherman (host, KIHS), Kassidy Bowman (Stevensville Middle), Sarah Burrall (Matapeake Middle), Monica White (Bayside Elementary), Jamie Dean (Grasonville Elementary), and Bayrex Hernandez (Matapeake Elementary).
The performances were not just a display of musical prowess; they were an explosion of joy as students reveled in the experience of singing together and exploring the beauty of small group ensembles for the very first time.
Teachers and students alike expressed their delight at the unique opportunity to harmonize not only with peers from their own school but also with those from other schools. Some even had the extraordinary chance to share the stage with siblings from different grade levels and schools.
The preparation leading up to these groundbreaking performances was no small feat. Students from each participating school dedicated hours to learning new songs, rehearsing with classmates, and collaborating with students from other schools. The camaraderie formed during these rehearsals echoed the sentiment of a united musical family.
Michael Bell, Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts for QACPS, spoke passionately about the significance of these groundbreaking Combined Choir Concerts, emphasizing the essence of collaboration among feeder schools and the creation of a ‘family’ atmosphere for the students.
“These Combined Choir Concerts are what we’re all about—‘collaboration and community’ for our kids. Just like ArtScene, we want our students to have a positive experience singing at their future high school long before they ever get there,” said Bell. “We want them to ‘touch that stage’ and shine under the bright lights of the largest audience they’ve ever performed in front of. We also want students to sign up for Chorus when they get to middle and high school.”
Bell gives all the credit to music teachers and their students and families for coming out and supporting this effort, and to the principals at all participating schools, along with our Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent for their support of this idea, and venture.
As the curtain falls on yet another year of musical brilliance, the Combined Choir Concerts stand not just as performances but as a celebration of the boundless potential that resonates within the talented students of Queen Anne’s County.
These combined choir concerts are an exemplary model for what is possible, and it was definitely the most highly attended concert at both high schools this year. View the concerts, and the behind the scenes of “the making of” each concert using the links below:
Please be sure to thank a music teacher for all their hard work and dedication to making singing a priority in Queen Anne’s County, as it helps build community among students, in addition to self-confidence and literacy skills that are so important for the overall growth and development of students at any age.