DUE TO UNPRECIDENTED TIMES, Student activities have been suspended for the 2020-2021 school year.
In the high school chorus, we have a large number or opportunities for our students.
Purpose: To honor outstanding singers from high school choral music programs in our state by giving them the opportunity to perform at the highest level of achievement.
To provide an outstanding educational experience for both the students and teacher of choral programs across the state.
Eligibility :The choral director of each student participating in High School Choral Section activities must be a current member, in good standing, of the North Carolina Music Educators Association
The choral member must be enrolled in a scheduled choral class receiving one unit of credit in the current school year.
MARS HILL CHORAL CLINIC:
he Mars Hill University/J. Elwood Roberts Choral Festival was established in 1949 by the late J. Elwood Roberts as an effort to improve choral music in the high schools of western North Carolina. While in the beginning the “clinic” was comprised of about fifteen schools in the closely surrounding area, this annual event has grown into one of the premiere choral festivals in North Carolina and, as far as is known, is the longest, continuously-running festival of its type in the southeast and is unique for a private college in the United States. Each year more than 700 students from approximately 100 high schools audition for the Festival Choir.
In the early years students were selected by their directors to sing in the choral “clinic”. Quite often, a double quartet from each high school would participate. As the event continued to grow, reaching a size of 400 non-auditioned singers, it was decided that a better format would be to reduce the size to approximately 325 voices and have the singers audition at selected high school sites. This practice was put into effect for the clinic of 1970. Auditions are held at various sites in October. After being selected, the singers prepare the music and attend one of seven zone rehearsals held in January. With the help of high school zone coordinators this practice has proven very effective.
Guest conductors have included some of the most prominent choral musicians in the United States.
CMS HONORS:
Purpose: To give our most outstanding CMS students a chance to participate with other students of like ability in a highly select group and to give these students an opportunity to work with outstanding choral directors.
9-10 ALL CAROLINA CHORUS:
This is an auditioned choir for only freshman and sophomore students who desire to work harder and learn more.
BANK OF AMERICA FUNDRAISING:
This is our departments biggest fundraiser, each family is expected to work one shift, an adult and student.
NWSA Choral Arts Department 