Wayne students will perform at All County Choral Festival at DMS Thursday
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on April 6, 2008 2:30 AM
Students from 31 schools will blend their voices on Thursday when Wayne County Public Schools hosts its annual All County Choral Festival at Dillard Middle School. The program starts at 7 p.m.
More than 270 students have been chosen to represent their schools, with professional instructors brought in to lead the choral groups.
The showcase is free and open to the public.
High school students will work with guest clinician Dr. Jeffrey Ward, an assistant professor of choral music education, associate director of choral activities and director of the Summer Choral Camp at East Carolina University.
Middle school students will be coached by Susan Townsend, chorus and drama teacher at Max Abbott Middle School in Fayetteville.
Guest clinician for elementary students will be Paul Flowers, choral music and general master of ceremonies.
Some of the musical selections for this year include: "Sing a Song of Nonsense," "Al Shlosha D'Varim," "To Music," "Shenandoah" and "The Cloths of Heaven."
"We look forward to this event each year," states Dr. Steven Taylor, WCPS superintendent. "It is always amazing to hear just how talented many of our students are when they take the stage."
Administrators say the annual All County Choral Festival not only cultivates and showcases the musical abilities of students, it also teaches them the value of hard work.
And those are lessons they can use when they are doing their academic work as well.
"Our schools use music education as a tool to help educate the 'whole child.' Music not only inspires, but for those who have an interest in performing, it can also help teach the value of hard work. Our students put on high caliber performances because they work hard, pay attention to their instructor, and practice. If students take this same recipe for success into other areas of their academics, they can succeed in all they do," Taylor said.