CHORUS
The motto of the Winter Park High School Choral Department is “Reaching Out, Searching Within.” This vision shapes our daily investigation into our humanity through art, self-reflection, and service.
The Choral Department has a deep commitment to the development of musical skills, vocal technique, collaboration, community outreach, and interdisciplinary applications. We are passionate about helping each student reach his/her individual potential—artistically, intellectually, and socially—and helping to facilitate a well-rounded, diverse high school experience.
For an exciting overview of the Choral Department, check out this video:
Chorus overview video
The Choral Department is comprised of approximately 275 students in eight curricular and two extracurricular choirs led by a team of two directors. A wide range of non-select and auditioned ensembles allows each student to flourish in a nurturing yet challenging musical environment. The auditioned choirs are Park Singers, Belle Chanson, Concert Choir, Men’s Chorale, and Women’s Chorale. The non-auditioned choirs are Cantabile, Wildcat Men’s Ensemble, and Freshman Women’s Chorus. The two extracurricular contemporary a cappella groups are Naughty Scotty and the Octapella as well as Take 7.
All ensembles emphasize skill development including: music literacy, sight singing, ear training, music theory, and vocal technique. Students perform a varied repertoire, which includes music from different genres and all historical periods. Advocating for new music, the choirs have recently premiered works by Eric William Barnum, David Brunner, Jason Howland, Victor C. Johnson, Kerry Marsh, Jamey Ray, Rob Redei, Stanford Scriven, Mari Valverde, and Michele Weir. Each year, WPHS choirs perform three full concerts and also sing throughout Central Florida. In addition, all chorus students participate in Night on Broadway.
A few examples of our work:
Mozart Requiem
Handel Messiah Hallelujah
Redel Only in Darkness
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OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Biennial trips to cities such as Boston, Chicago, New York City, and Washington, D.C.
• Featured performances at the Washington National Cathedral, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
• Night on Broadway (Recent shows include: The American Songbook, Ragtime, and Les Misérables)
• Straight Superior Ratings at District Festivals
• Honor Choir for Disney’s Candlelight Processional at Epcot
• Florida Music Education Association (2016)
• Florida American Choral Directors Association (2011, 2013, 2015 and 2018)
• National A Cappella Convention (2018)
• International Championship of High School A Cappella South Champions (2012 and 2015)
• Best of High School A Cappella (2017, 2018)
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Join Us!
If you want to be part of a nationally recognized tradition of excellence or if you just like to sing, then the Choral Department is the place for you! It is not too late to add chorus to your schedule. Please, contact the directors AND your guidance counselor to change your schedule TODAY!
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Auditions
All students are welcome in the Choral Department, and no audition is necessary to participate in chorus! Our non-auditioned ensembles are Freshman Women’s Chorus, Cantabile, and Wildcat Men’s Ensemble. Our auditioned ensembles are Park Singers, Belle Chanson, Concert Choir, Men’s Chorale, and Women’s Chorale. With the exception of incoming freshmen and transfer students, auditions for advanced ensembles take place at the end of the school year. We also have two contemporary a cappella ensembles open to all students in the program. These auditions take place at the beginning of the school year. See below for more details.
Freshman Auditions for Concert Choir
Incoming freshmen are eligible to audition for Concert Choir, our advanced mixed chorus, which meets during 6th period. Students do not need to prepare anything. The audition consists of a familiar song (e.g. “My Country Tis of Thee”), melodic sight-reading, rhythmic sight-reading, and tonal memory. These auditions take place the week before school begins. Email Mr. Campbell to set up an appointment.
Auditions for Naughty Scotty and the Octapella
Naughty Scotty and the Octapella (NSO) is our select tenor/bass a cappella group. All tenors and basses enrolled in chorus are eligible to audition regardless of grade or experience. These auditions take place the first week of the school year. Students will be able to sign up for an audition time during the first couple days of school.
Auditions for Take 7
Take 7 is our select treble a cappella group. All treble-voice students enrolled in chorus are eligible to audition. These auditions typically take place the first week of the school year. Students will be able to sign up for an audition time during the first couple days of school.
Contact Links
Andrew Campbell: [email protected]