Vocal Music
About
Carroll County Public Schools provide all students—from elementary through high school—with access to elective choral music programs. The way chorus is scheduled in elementary and middle schools varies by school, so ask your school’s music teacher how to get involved.
In some middle schools, chorus is offered as an alternative to general music. When this is the case, participation in evening public performances is required and factors into the student’s grade.
At the elementary level, chorus is an extracurricular opportunity scheduled as a pull-out program. Choral music often represents a child’s first experience formally exploring an elective beyond the required curriculum. Students who participate in choral music develop a work ethic that emphasizes attention to detail and delayed gratification—qualities commonly found among successful academic learners. Because rehearsals occur during the school day, students also build habits of personal responsibility, such as completing any missed classwork. For this reason, parents are encouraged to discuss these expectations with their child before enrolling in the pull-out choral program.
Many parents wonder whether their child is ready for this level of commitment. Research shows that students who participate in music pull-out programs consistently outperform their peers academically. While these benefits require effort from both students and parents, the rewards are well worth it.
High school choral programs provide opportunities to study advanced repertoire and participate in both curricular and extracurricular music experiences. Enrollment in these classes fulfills the fine arts graduation requirement mandated by the State of Maryland. High school choral courses equip students with skills to pursue a professional career in music or to develop a lifelong appreciation for the art form.
Although community members often recognize our choral programs through their performances at school and local events, the primary focus is comprehensive musicianship. Our programs emphasize musical perception, aesthetic sensitivity, and technical mastery. While social enrichment and valuable life skills are important outcomes, they are built upon the foundation of our core mission: providing a high-quality music education for every student.
Eisteddfod
Day of the Concert General Information - March 21, 2025
Concert Date:
|
Ensemble |
Warm up Time & Room |
Performance Time |
Post-Performance Seating |
Parent Pickup |
|
Region One |
6:45 pm 2nd Floor Cafeteria |
7:30 pm |
House Left Balcony |
House Left Balcony |
|
Region Two |
6:45 pm 2nd Floor Cafeteria |
7:50 pm |
House Right Balcony |
House Right Balcony |
|
Middle School |
7:00 pm Instrumental Music Room |
8:10 pm |
House Left Floor |
|
|
High School |
7:00 pm Chorus Room |
8:40 pm |
|
|
|
Finale* |
|
9:10 pm |
|
|
* = All students will participate in the finale conducted by Paul Sharp (Westminster High School)
Elementary School
- There will be two honors choruses (Region One and Region Two)
- Each chorus will be directed by two music teachers from each region.
- Region One – Paul Ford & Brittany Shatuck
- Region Two – Mark Topper & Sarah Lange
Rehearsals
- The directors will schedule and run the rehearsals at times and locations that the directors determine to best meet the needs of the members of each chorus.
- Students should arrive at the rehearsals with the music already prepared through the assistance of their home school music teacher.
- The recommended number of full ensemble rehearsals is 2-3. Teachers are asked to work during at least 2 of the 3 full ensemble rehearsal as coordinated by the conductors.
- March 19, 2025 has been reserved for elementary access to the Westminster High School auditorium (5:00-9:00 pm).
Student Involvement
- Each elementary school will send 8 students to the regional chorus.
- The students will be selected by the lead vocal music teacher at each school.
- Students should be selected to balance voices. Consideration should be given to ability and positive contribution to the development of the home school choral music program.
- Students should sing very well in tune with a pleasant tone quality and range that accommodates the chosen musical selections.
- Students must demonstrate exemplary behavior and attitude, and have a good attendance record. Parents must be supportive and aware of all required rehearsals.
- Selection of students should reflect careful determination on the teacher’s part with an eye towards promoting excellence in the festival honors chorus setting.
- The decision of the lead vocal music teacher is the final determining factor for selection.
Attendance Policy
Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is expected. If an emergency arises, it is essential that parents communicate the absence in advance via email or phone call to the home school teacher. Missing 2 or more rehearsals will result in dismissal from the ensemble. Attendance at the final rehearsal at Westminster High School is mandatory. Failure to attend the final rehearsal at Westminster High School will result in dismissal from the ensemble.
Concert Attire
Students should wear appropriate concert attire; remaining consistent with school dress code. Clothing should not be distracting so the focus is on the music rather than an individual’s attire.
- Long/Short Sleeve White Dress Shirt/Blouse (sleeveless is not appropriate)
- Black Dress Pants or Black Knee Length or Longer Skirt
- Black Dress Shoes (low heel and closed toe)
Middle School
Kim Hobbs will coordinate the Middle School Chorus.
Student Involvement
- Each middle school will send 10 students to the honors chorus.
- The students will be selected by the lead vocal music teacher at each school.
- Students should be selected to balance voices. Consideration should be given to ability and positive contribution to the development of the home school choral music program.
- The decision of the lead vocal music teacher is the final determining factor for selection.
Music
- The middle school chorus will perform no more than 5 selections.
- Music will be selected by the guest conductor.
- The finale will be conducted by Paul Ford (Westminster High School).
Rehearsals
- Students should arrive at the rehearsals with the music already prepared through the assistance of their home school music teacher.
- The March 12, 2025, rehearsal will be held at Shiloh Middle School from 6:30-8:30 pm. The March 18, 2025, rehearsal will be held at Westminster High School from 6:30-8:30 pm. Both of these rehearsals will be run by the middle school chorus teachers. The finale will also be rehearsed at the March 18, 2025 rehearsal.
- The March 20, 2025, rehearsal will be held at Westminster High School and will be run by the guest conductor.
- Teachers are asked to work during at least 2 of the 3 rehearsals as coordinated by Kim Hobbs.
- There will be an all-day rehearsal from 9:00 am – 1:30 pm with the guest conductors on Friday, March 21, 2025. There will be a lunch break for students to eat lunch that they bring from home.
Attendance Policy
Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is expected. If an emergency arises, it is essential that parents communicate the absence in advance via email or phone call to the home school teacher. Missing more than one rehearsal will result in dismissal from the ensemble. Attendance at all of the rehearsals at with the guest conductor is mandatory and missing any of the guest conductor rehearsals will result in dismissal from the ensemble.
Concert Attire
Students should wear appropriate concert attire; remaining consistent with school dress code. Clothing should not be distracting so the focus is on the music rather than an individual’s attire.
- Long/Short Sleeve White Dress Shirt/Blouse (sleeveless is not appropriate)
- Black Dress Pants or Black Knee Length or Longer Skirt
- Black Dress Shoes (low heel and closed toe)
High School
Paul Ford will coordinate the High School Chorus.
Student Involvement
- Each high school may send 10 students to the honors chorus. Each school should attempt to send 2 or 3 students from each of the 4 main voice parts.
- At least 4 students must be male voices. If a school does not have 4 male voices to contribute, the school will forfeit the number of participants that they are lacking in male voices. Report this reduction to the high school coordinator so other schools may invite additional male students.
- The students will be selected by the lead vocal music teacher at each school.
- Students should be selected to balance voices. Consideration should be given to ability and positive contribution to the development of the home school choral music program.
- The decision of the lead vocal music teacher is the final determining factor for selection.
Music
- The high school chorus will perform no more than 5 selections.
- Music will be selected by the guest conductor.
- The finale will be conducted by Paul Ford (Westminster High School).
Rehearsals
- Students should arrive at the rehearsals with the music already prepared through the assistance of their home school music teacher.
- The March 10, 2025, rehearsal will be held at Westminster School from 6:30-9:00 pm. The March 18, 2025, rehearsal will be held at Westminster High School from 6:30-9:00 pm. Both of these rehearsals will be run by the high school chorus teachers. The finale will also be rehearsed at the March 18, 2025, rehearsal.
- The March 20, 2025, rehearsal will be held at Westminster High School and will be run by the guest conductor.
- Teachers are asked to work during at least 2 of the 3 rehearsals as coordinated by Paul Ford.
- There will be an all-day rehearsal from 9:00 am – 1:30 pm with the guest conductors on Friday, March 21, 2025. There will be a lunch break for students to eat lunch that they bring from home.
Attendance Policy
Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is expected. If an emergency arises, it is essential that parents communicate the absence in advance via email or phone call to the home school teacher. Missing more than one rehearsal will result in dismissal from the ensemble. Attendance at all of the rehearsals at with the guest conductor is mandatory and missing any of the guest conductor rehearsals will result in dismissal from the ensemble.
Concert Attire
Students should wear appropriate concert attire; remaining consistent with school dress code. Clothing should not be distracting so the focus is on the music rather than an individual’s attire.
- Long/Short Sleeve White Dress Shirt/Blouse (sleeveless is not appropriate)
- Black Dress Pants or Black Knee Length or Longer Skirt
- Black Dress Shoes (low heel and closed toe)