Photos courtesy of Trussville City Schools.
All four Hewitt-Trussville Middle School choirs earned “Superior with Distinction,” the highest rating at the Alabama Vocal Association State Choral Performance Assessment, held April 17-19, under the direction of Nichole Hill.
From award-winning performances to a musical production of “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat,” the Hewitt-Trussville Middle School choir program is ending the school year on a high note.
Under the direction of Nichole Hill, the school’s choral department earned statewide recognition while continuing to provide students with opportunities to grow as musicians and performers.
This spring, the choir program celebrated major success at the Alabama Vocal Association State Choral Performance Assessment, held April 17-19. Four HTMS choirs participated in the event, including the sixth grade girls beginning choir, boys choir, seventh and eighth grade honors choir, and eighth grade honors choir. All four ensembles received “Superior with Distinction,” the highest rating awarded at the state assessment.
“The students worked incredibly hard preparing for assessment, and earning Superior with Distinction is a huge accomplishment,” Hill said. “I am so proud of the focus, teamwork and musical growth they demonstrated throughout the process.”
Earlier this year, on March 2, 86 HTMS choir students participated in the UAB Honor Choir, representing the school among talented young singers from across the region. In addition to participating in the honor choir experience, HTMS students were invited to perform before the concert.
The sixth grade beginning girls choir performed “Dona Nobis Pacem,” arranged by Julie Wheeler, while the seventh and eighth grade honors choir performed “Lux Aeterna” by Christi Jones.
“Both groups did an outstanding job,” Hill said. “It was an honor for our students to perform in that setting, and they represented Hewitt-Trussville beautifully.”
Hill said the preparation for both events worked hand in hand throughout the school year. She explained that the UAB Honor Choir especially helped students strengthen the sight-reading skills necessary for state assessment.
“The UAB Honor Choir is a sight-reading honor choir,” Hill said. “The students receive their music the day of the event and learn it all in one day before performing that afternoon. Using those sight-reading skills directly assisted in preparing them for the AVA assessment.”
In addition to building musicianship, Hill said the experiences gave students opportunities they would not normally receive in a daily classroom setting.
“Being able to participate in these events gives students the opportunity to work with other musicians and learn from others,” she said. “It also allows them to receive feedback from four different judges with different backgrounds, which helps them grow as young musicians.”
Hill said she noticed a boost in both confidence and teamwork among students after the events.
“The students began to see that when they work together and stay consistent in what they are taught and practice, they become better musicians,” she said. “They also had the opportunity to learn from listening to and watching other choirs perform.”
The HTMS choir program is open to students at all grade levels and focuses on vocal technique, music literacy and performance skills in a supportive and creative environment. Through rehearsals and performances, students learn harmony, music reading and confidence on stage.
“I want students to feel like the choir room is a place where they belong,” Hill said. “We work hard, but we also build friendships, confidence and leadership skills through music.”
The department’s busy spring season continued with its production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” which opened Friday, April 17, at 7 p.m. in the HTMS auditorium, with additional performances April 18 and 19.
“Our students have poured so much energy and excitement into this production,” Hill said. “Audiences saw tremendous talent and a lot of heart on that stage.”
The choir program concluded the school year with its final choir concert on May 12.
Looking ahead, Hill said experiences like honor choir and state assessments continue to shape the future of the program.
“This type of learning helps grow a choral program and allows it to move forward at a higher level of excellence,” she said.
