More
than 75 students from North and South gathered together on the evening of March
6, 2012. When the opening bell sounded, there was no athletic competition to be
found. Instead, when the opening tone resonated, there was artistic
collaboration - in abundance.
Initiated
over 20 years ago, the District 99 Honors Vocal Recital showcases the finest
vocal musicians in District 99 in an annual collaborative performance.
"This event symbolizes what is best in District 99." said South High
School Fine Arts Department Chairman Glenn Williams. "It is collaborative,
it is predicated on excellence, and it is all about students."
Leading up to this recital, both South and
North High Schools hold independent vocal festivals. These festivals, held
during the school day, are adjudicated by professional musicians and teachers
from outside of District 99. The expert panel of adjudicators provide each
student performing event with immediate formative feedback, and, with a score
based on the quality of their performance. Each school then holds a run-off
competition, where the best events are selected by the panel of adjudicators to
perform on the District 99 Honors Vocal Recital. In total, more than 150
chamber music events are adjudicated during the Vocal Festivals at North and
South High Schools.
In addition to the District 99
team of teachers working with the student musicians, a superior staff of
private voice teachers coach and accompany the student singers through the
performance preparation process at both South and North High Schools. These
teachers are integral to the student success manifested during this recital.
"Solo
singing is the highest level of performance." said North High School Fine
Arts Department Chairperson Brayer Teague. "We strive for all of our
students to aspire to this level of performance excellence." Once this
recital is experienced as a listener, it is clear that the ability to sing with
excellence alone and in small groups demonstrates performance mastery better
than any other assessment.
