The choral program at Sylvania Northview High School consists of six choirs, four of which are taken as classes during the day: A Cappella Choir, Symphonic Choir, NV Women’s Chorus, and Harmony Road Show. The A Cappella Choir splits into the Men’s Chorus and the Women’s Chorus.
The A Cappella Choir is an auditioned mixed voiced choir (men and women) in grades 11 and 12. Auditions for the A Cappella Choir are held in the early spring for the following school year. The A Cappella Choir performs some of the most challenging literature from the choral repertoire and consistently scores excellent and superior ratings at OMEA state-level adjudicated events.
The Choir meets during regular class time five days a week. In addition, students are expected to attend Sectional Rehearsals at times set by the section leaders.
During even numbered years, the A Cappella Choir performs a “Madrigal Dinner Concert” in December. Choir members dress in full Renaissance costumes and perform Baroque, Renaissance, and Medieval holiday music. December of odd numbered years features the choir performing a “Holiday Dinner Concert” in formal black attire while singing international music of the season. December dinner concerts and Winter Madrigal or Formal, are sold out well in advance.
During non-Madrigal years, the A Cappella Choir performs on tour. A Cappella Tour is both a highlight for the students and a way to have 4-6 days of intense performing as preparation for District and State Contest. Tour combines a challenging performance schedule with sightseeing and cultural events. March and April/May are contest months, with the A Cappella Choir participating in the OMEA District Contest. By scoring a “1”, the choir advances to State Competition. May features the Spring Concert with all of the Northview Choirs.
In addition to the traditional concerts, the A Cappella Choir is frequently invited to sing with other professional musicians and at community functions. The A Cappella Choir has performed with the Toledo Symphony, Cincinnati Opera, BGSU’s & UT’s Choirs and for the Sylvania Rotary and Chamber of Commerce. In any given year, the A Cappella Choir performs several additional concerts by invitation.
The Northview Symphonic Choir was created in the 2001-2002 school year, as a result of the growth of the vocal music department. This mid-level auditioned mixed choir is composed of all incoming Freshman boys and students in grades 10 through 12. The Symphonic Choir performs moderately difficult music ranging from classical to spirituals and novelty numbers. Throughout the year, Symphonic Choir members focus on honing their sight-reading skills and developing solid vocal technique.
The Chorus traditionally performs in a shared concert with the Northview Women’s Chorus in December and with all choral ensembles in May. In addition, Symphonic Choir competes in District contest and also goes to State Competition if a score of “1” is achieved at District Contest.
The Northview Women’s Chorus is a performance group whose only prerequisite is to match pitch and sing a recognizable tune, selected by the director. Northview Chorus is composed primarily of students in grades 9 and 10, along with a number of upperclassmen interested in choral music. As a result of the growing vocal music program, all incoming Freshman women are placed in the Northview Women’s Chorus. The choir performs music that introduces the student to more complex choral literature. Learning to read music, sing a cappella (without accompaniment) and perform in public is emphasized.
The Northview Women’s Chorus traditionally perform in a shared concert with the Symphonic Choir in December and with all choral ensembles in May. In addition, Northview Women’s Chorus competes in District contest in the “C” or “B” category and also goes to State Competition if a score of “1” is achieved at District Contest.
Individual students may audition for solo parts within the choir and for the Northview Women’s Chorus Ensemble and are encouraged to further their music education outside the classroom. Members of Northview Women’s Chorus are encouraged to attend other choir performances and to participate in as many musical events as possible including Solo and Ensemble Contest.
The A Cappella Men’s and A Cappella Women’s Choruses are comprised of male and female members of the A Cappella Choir. The Men’s Chorus and the Women’s Chorus learn musical literature written for soprano/alto choirs (Women’s Chorus) or tenor/bass choirs (Men’s Chorus.) Each Chorus performs as a distinct choir during all A Cappella performances, and both the Men’s Chorus and the Women’s Chorus compete in District and State Contest.
Specializing in vocal jazz, Harmony Road Show (“HRS”) is a mixed voice audition-only group of 16 singers. Students learn jazz performance techniques as they sing into their own microphone. They are expected to learn about vocal sound technology and tech set-up of speakers and microphones in various performance venues. HRS performs by invitation at many community functions, at the Winter Choral Concert, and, occasionally, with the A Cappella Choir. One of the highlights of the year is a performance and clinic at the Ohio Jazz Summit, held in Tiffin each spring.
Auditions for the Men’s and Women’s Quartets are held in the spring for the following year. Both the men and women sing “Barbershop style” in four-part harmony as tenor, lead, baritone, and bass. (The parts are named the same for women as well as men.) Both quartets rehearse on their own time and often perform at various concerts, as well as acting as “choir ambassadors” for many school and community functions. The quartets are auditioned in the spring of the preceding year and are encouraged to attend Harmony Camp, which occurs in August on the campus of The Ohio State University. Northview is traditionally represented by more than twenty students at Harmony Camp.
© 2010 Sylvania Northview Choral Activities Program