| 2009-2010 NEWS ARTICLES | |
| Congratulations to our All State Chamber Choir Members | |
The following students were selected to the West Virginia All State Chamber Choir by the American Choral Directors Conference: |
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| PHS A CAPPELLA CHOIR TO PERFORM AT CARNEGIE HALL | |
Distinguished Concerts International in New York City announced today that Ms. Pamela McClain and the Parkersburg High School A Cappella Choir have been invited to participate in a performance of Brahms’ Nanie and Amy Beach’s Festival Jubilate in the Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall on Saturday, April 17, 2010. Members of the choir will join members of the Ohio State University Chorus to form the Distinguished Concert Singers International, a choir of distinction, accompanied by a full professional orchestra. Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt, Ohio State Dean of Choral Studies, will conduct the performance as well as serve as the clinician for the residency. Dr. Jonathan Griffith, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor for the Distinguished Concerts International stated: “The Parkersburg High School A Cappella Choir received this invitation after having won the Heritage Festivals Choral Competition last April in the Riverside Church in Upper Manhattan, NYC. Dr. Griffith commented that the choir has demonstrated the quality and high level of musicianship required to perform in such a spectacular venue. These wonderful musicians not only represent the highest standard of music education, but they also become ambassadors for the entire community. This is an event of extreme pride for everybody and deserving of the community’s recognition and support.” The singers will spend 5 days and 4 nights in New York City in preparation for their concert. “The singers will spend approximately 9-10 hours in rehearsals over the 5 day residency,” says Griffith. “Not all of the time is spent in rehearsals, since there is so much history and culture to see in New York City. However, the performance in Carnegie Hall is the primary purpose for their visit to the city.” While in New York City, the choir plans to honor the memory of former A Cappella Choir member, Mary Lou Hague, by singing at Ground Zero. Members of the community are encouraged to give financial support in sending these outstanding singers to Carnegie Hall by contacting Ms. Pamela McClain at (304) 420-9595, ext. 180 or by mailing donations marked: PHS Choral Parents, Inc., c/o Pamela McClain, 2101 Dudley Ave., Parkersburg, WV. 26101. The Carnegie Hall Concert will be a ticketed event open to the public. A reception honoring the combined choirs of Ohio State University and Parkersburg High School will be held at the famous Tavern on the Green Restaurant in New York City following the concert. Ms. McClain states, “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for any choir. We are thrilled to be invited and will represent our school and community with professionalism and pride.” “The choir students are in need of financial support to see this dream come to fruition. We know our city is a great supporter of the fine arts and will help us reach our goal.” |
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| PHS PRESENTS ANNUAL CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT | |
| The Parkersburg High School A Cappella Choir, under the direction of Pamela McClain, and accompanied by Jan Corrothers, will present its annual choral Christmas concert on Monday, December 21st in the school auditorium. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. with the house doors opening at 6:30 p.m. PHS art teacher, Steve Morningstar and his art students have created a backdrop replicating old downtown Parkersburg. The program will begin with a long-standing traditional “O Come Emmanuel” candlelit processional. The eighty-nine voice choir will perform “Masters In This Hall”, “O Magnum Mysterium” and “The Joy of Mary” and “Let The Bells of Christmas Ring” featuring the Mid-Ohio Valley Ringers under the direction of Doug Anderson. The Parkersburg High School Chamber Choir will present a holiday favorite “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” as well as “I Wonder as I Wander” featuring soloists Yiyi Ocasio and Alex Ruble. “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day” will feature Jan Corrothers and Amy Sinclair playing four-hand piano. The choir’s final selection is a choreographed novelty piece entitled “Run, Rudolph Run.” The PHS Men’s And Women’s Ensembles will each sing two selections as well as a performance by a string ensemble comprised of PHS students led by instructor Cindy Puls. The PHS A Cappella Choir will conclude the program with “Carol of the Bells”, An Alfred Burt carol entitled “We’ll Dress the House”, “Christmastime Is Here” featuring Earl Corrothers playing saxophone, “The Hallelujah Chorus” which will include PHS Choir alumni, “Christmas Amen” featuring soloist Jordan Williams, and “Sleighride”. The concert will conclude with the traditional “O Come Emmanuel” recessional. The concert is free to the public with donations accepted at the door. All donations will help defray the cost of the choir’s invitation to perform with the Ohio State University choir in Carnegie Hall, New York City on April 18, 2010. A reception will be held in the school cafeteria following the concert. | |
| CAROLING FOR CASH | |
| Members of the Parkersburg High School A Cappella Choir, under the direction of Pamela McClain, will be caroling through north Parkersburg and Vienna on Friday, December 18th between the hours of a 6 and 9 p.m. The students are raising money to offset expenses for a trip to Carnegie Hall in New York City, April 18, 2010. The choir will be performing with the Ohio State University choir under the direction of Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt, Dean of Music at Ohio State University. The students will be singing from door to door as well as at area Christmas parties. Small groups can be requested for specific parties that Friday evening by contacting (304) 420-9595, ext. 180. All checks should be made payable to: PHS Choral Parents, Inc. | |
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