A Little Bit About Our Program
Ashley Chorus has long been known for its excellence! Not only is music great for your emotional well-being, but it has been proven to lead to brain development and efficiency. Not to mention a great place to make life-long friends while enjoying the art of singing. You will gain lifelong skills in the mechanics of singing, proper breath support, and teamwork! Ashley Choruses have historically earned some of the highest ratings in the state in our annual “contest” adjudication.
The Ashley Choruses
CHORALE (Vocal Music – Beginning and Intermediate)
All students are required to start in this choir for the first semester of choir at AHS. You will learn vocal music vocabulary, the basics of appropriate choral singing techniques, sight reading music, music culture and history of choral music. This is a performance-based class that consists of two required concerts per semester as well as other opportunities to perform in public. This class adequately prepares all students to be ready to advanced into our other two ensembles.
BELLA VOCE (Vocal Music – Proficient)
This is an auditioned group of treble singers (soprano and alto voices only) that sings more advanced music than Chorale. This class is designed for students who want to take their singing more serious and student expectations are elevated. This class is an excellent opportunity for students to hone their singing skills and abilities. Auditions for the class are offered at the end of each semester.
EAGLE ENSEMBLE (Vocal Music – Advanced)
This is an auditioned group of advanced choral students that is considered our top ensemble at AHS. Entrance into this ensemble is competitive and requires students to demonstrate mastery of choral techniques honed in other choral classes at AHS. In addition to concerts, this ensemble sings for various community events, competitive events and festivals throughout the school year. It is a semester-long class, but year-long participation is highly encouraged.
Other Choral Opportunities
TRI-M MUSIC HONOR SOCIETY
Tri-M is open to all music students (band, choir and/or orchestra) in grades 10-12 who have successfully completed two semesters of a music class and maintain at least a 90% in their respective music class. The Tri-M Music Honor Society is an international program dedicated to the recognition of exceptional music students that meet the music, academic, leadership, and character criteria asked of every Tri-M member. Tri-M is a program of the National Association for Music Education, which is the largest arts education association in the world. Members attend monthly meetings and are expected to perform for their chapter once per semester at such meetings as well as participate in community service activities.
DESSERT THEATRE
Dessert Theatre is our annual performance fundraiser sponsored by our AHS Chorus Boosters. Each year, a theme is selected by Mr. Boston and students will audition individual acts (solos, trios, quartets, and small ensembles). Acts are expected to prepare songs along with choreography and staging, that are consistent with the given theme. Selected acts will be invited to perform on the MEAC stage for the evening event, which includes dessert for the audience participants. This event usually happens toward the beginning of the 2nd semester.
SPRING MUSICAL
A school-wide collaboration among the music, drama, and visual arts programs. The musical takes place in April and is open to all AHS students. This year’s musical is “Little Women, The Musical” and will be performed March 31st, April 1st, and April 2nd in the Minnie Evans Arts Center auditorium.
FLEX ENRICHMENT
This year, we have karaoke every Monday and additional assistance in choir class throughout the rest of the week. We expect this to be similar next school year.
