The Stewart Choir

The Stewart Choir was a performance based choral singing class. The 7th grade Choir met each day for a semester and the 8th grade Choir met each day for the entire year.   Students were expected to concentrate, show self discipline, sing with correct technique, and show their love for music every day. Choristers were graded on sight singing, theory, diction, and tone quality. Much time was spent learning the written language of music by studying Music Theory. Students learned to sing at sight musical examples in class as well as the music in the octavos that were performed. Choristers used Solfege and the Curwin hand signs to practice sight singing melodies, and tone syllables and number counting to sight read rhythms. 

The Stewart Choir performed in Fall and Spring Concerts, and the ever popular "Pops" Concert at the end of the year. The 7th grade Choir also performed at the end of each semester. 

Selected members of the Stewart Choir performed at the District V Junior High Regional Chorus and the 7th Grade All County Workshop each year. Members of the JHRC are auditioned and 7 - 20 members attend each year depending on a District mandated quota.  Every 7th grade chorister is eligible to attend the All County Workshop. 

The Stewart Honors Choir was an auditioned group of gifted and talented 6th - 8th grade musicians that met after school once each week to work at an advanced level. The group sang 3-part treble music and was the featured ensemble at the 2004 Augusta County Fine Arts Festival.

The Stewart Honors Choir was auditioned each semester and includes talented singers from 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. The choir meets once per week for 90 minutes to learn a repertoire of music that reflects the best children's choir music available. Folk songs, classical songs, art songs, and jazz and pop standards are selected that match the interest and abilities of the choristers.

When they become aware that their voice is heard above the others and they begin to blend their voices, they learn teamwork.

When they follow their music director's hands through a series of meter and dynamic changes, they learn accuracy.

When they begin to appreciate, or "grow into" a piece of music, they learn patience.

When they refrain from talking and interrupting in rehearsal, they learn respect.

When they listen and concentrate during rehearsal, they learn self-discipline.

When they choose a rehearsal or performance over a special event. they learn commitment.

When they bound out of their singing positions to give a "high five" because they finally sang their most difficult piece straight through for the first time, they learn perseverance.

When they perform their first solo in front of an audience, they learn risk-taking and self-confidence.

When they perform that difficult piece successfully in concert, they learn genuine pride and self-esteem.

Research shows time and again that students have only to gain from involvement in the arts.

A well-organized sustained education in music gives your child intellectual and creative skills that last a lifetime.