Choir Director: Ms. Emily Miller
Highland Middle School boasts a strong tradition in the performing arts. In sixth and seventh grade, students are required to participate in choir or band (or both, if they choose.! We have two sections of sixth grade choir (morning and afternoon) and two sections of seventh grade choir (morning and afternoon). There are well over 280 students participating in the 6th and 7th grade choirs.
Preparing for performance is only a part of the education offered in the choir classroom. Students learn about music theory, history, and notation while also exploring the styles of different composers, time periods, forms, and nationalities. The techniques of singing (breath support, posture, placement, tone color, resonance, balance, blend, intonation, etc.) are paramount in the course curriculum. By the time a student has completed a year of choir, they have effectively traveled through time, across the globe, and into the world of intelligent self-expression, interpretation, and evaluation.
Eighth grade is the ultimate year in Highland Middle School. There are no performing arts requirements in the eighth grade - the result is always a choir of exceptional dedication, drive, enthusiasm and quality! This choir is under the direction of Mr. Chris Ilg. Recognized at District contests as a top-rated choir in the state, our eighth grade choir program also offers two co-curricular choirs after school - the eighth grade girls choir and the eighth grade guys choir. These groups serve to further enhance and showcase the students' musical gifts as they offer music of a more popular style to our audiences.
Finally, our choir department works in conjunction with the athletic department when scheduling events. Athletics and music are often emphasizing the same skills - teamwork, cooperation, group goals, and personal responsibility. Our music-athletes have always been and continue to be a strong component of the Highland Choir Department. Come see for yourself! Concerts are free and open to the public.
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