Schools choral showcases this week
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on November 16, 2009 1:46 PM
Students will blend their voices during a program of festive songs as Wayne County Public Schools sponsors the annual district-wide Holiday Choral Showcase this week at Dillard Middle School.
This is the ninth year for the event, begin in 2001 with 12 schools participating. This year, 25 schools will be divided up over the two-night event -- Tuesday and Thursday evenings, both beginning at 7 p.m.
Tuesday's program will feature choruses from Meadow Lane, North Drive, Eastern Wayne, Carver Heights, Spring Creek and School Street elementary schools, Greenwood, Eastern Wayne and Dillard middle schools, and Eastern Wayne and Goldsboro high schools.
Choruses performing on Thursday include Carver, Northeast, Northwest, Rosewood, Tommy's Road and Fremont STARS elementary schools, Brogden, Rosewood, Mount Olive and Grantham middle schools, and Charles B. Aycock, Rosewood and Southern Wayne high schools.
Dean Sauls, principal of Rosewood High School, will serve as the master of ceremonies on Tuesday, while Rick Pridgen, vice chair of the Board of Education, will emcee on Thursday.
"The Choral Showcase is not only a special holiday event that our community looks forward to watching and listening to each year, but it is also a great opportunity for schools to showcase the talents and hard work of their students," said Hope Meyerhoeffer, the schools' performing arts director.
Such programs help enhance music education in the schools, she added.
"Our district recognizes that the arts are a significant part of helping children become well-rounded citizens, and they assist the schools' academic programs by providing motivation, interest and relevance. The Choral Showcase allows students to have an audience beyond their teacher or school," said Dr. Steven Taylor, schools superintendent.
Admission is $5 for each person, with all proceeds to benefit the choral programs at the participating schools. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the programs will begin at 7 p.m. Children under 5 years old are admitted free.