Millersville University’s Tell School of Music invites high school conductors and a select SATB quartet or octet of their finest students to participate in the 2nd annual “Voices of the Future: Honors Sight-Singing Choir.” This day-long event is scheduled for Friday, October 14, 2022, from 9:00 am to 4:45 pm. The cost is $50.00 per quartet (SATB preferred) or $15.00 per student and includes:
• Enjoyable and educational rehearsals for students to develop their vocal technique and choral musicianship
• Exciting repertoire to be learned throughout the day (no advanced preparation necessary)
• Vocal masterclasses for students to receive individual instruction and coaching on prepared songs (optional). Each school may nominate one or two singers to participate in the masterclass.
• Comprehensive workshops for teachers based on Kodály concepts to develop your students’ sight-singing skills using solfege, varied choral rehearsal techniques and a fresh approach to conducting. Teachers may bring 2-3 of their favorite pieces (“chestnuts”) to share with their colleagues to learn new repertoire that works!
• Lunch and snacks, including a light morning snack, lunch, and light afternoon snack
• A festive concluding concert at 4:00 pm in the Biemesderfer Concert Hall (free and open to the public) with performances by the MU Chorale, MU voice faculty, and the Honors Sight-Singing Choir.
If you are interested in participating in this exciting day of vocal-choral activities, simply complete the online form below by Friday, October 7.
Click here to register students: Voices of the Future Online Application Form
NOTE: If you have trouble accessing the online form, please use the PDF template below to send me a card copy via email: jeffrey.gemmell@millersville.edu
Each school will provide their own transportation to and from Millersville University (parking permits will be distributed). The Tell School of Music invites each teacher to participate in the day as well. Please share details of this event with other high school choral conductors. To keep the Honor Choir small and selective, only the first 80 students will be accepted.
Please consider joining us for this fun, educational, and exciting opportunity, as this will be a great day of quality choral music-making and vocal instruction. As the event draws near, more specific information will be shared. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Tentative Schedule:
8:00-9:00am: Registration
9:00-10:00am: Honor Choir Rehearsal #1
10:00-10:15am: Break with light snack
10:15-11:00am: Honor Choir Rehearsal #2
11:00-Noon: Students tour Tell School (recording studios, etc.).
11:00-Noon: Teacher Workshop with Music Education faculty
Noon-12:45pm: Honor Choir rehearses alongside University Choi
12:45-1:15 pm: Lunch
1:15-2:15 pm: Choir Rehearsal #3
2:15-2:30 pm: Break with light snack
2:30-3:30 pm: Vocal Masterclass led by Voice Faculty
3:30-4:00 pm: Final rehearsal before concert
4:00-4:45 pm: Final Synthesis Concert (Voice Faculty, Chorale, Honor Choir)
About the Conductor:
Dr. Gemmell, Assistant Professor/Coordinator of Choral Studies, has over twenty-five years of college teaching experience in choral performance and conducting, music education, and studio voice/vocal pedagogy, with advanced degrees earned in each of these specialty areas. Gemmell originally began teaching at Millersville University in 2006, left MU for a position at University of Colorado Boulder in 2009, and returned to MU in 2013. He has also held teaching positions at Ithaca College, Cornell University, and Metropolitan University of Denver. Gemmell holds degrees from Towson University, Northwestern University, and University of Colorado Boulder.
Jeffrey Gemmell's Repository of Artful Things! 