CHS Choral Department

What is happening with the CHS Choirs

by Brad Senffner

Welcome to the CHS Choral Web site.

Welcome back to another school year. We have many things planned for the upcoming year. Hopefully you will have a chance to come and see the many things happening.

Currently, the CHS choral program is working to develop their musical theory skills. We are focusing on the development of interval recognition as well as how to better read the music that we encounter throughout the class.

This year, the choirs will be performing at the Candlelight Processional and Massed Choir Program at the America Gardens Theatre in Epcot. As part of that concert, the choirs will be memorizing 15 arrangements sent to us by the Disney Magic Music Days program, a part of the Performing Arts Programs at Walt Disney World. All choirs will join together for the fall concert to perform a preview of the selections from our upcoming trip.

Look below for a description of the Choral Courses offered here at Central High School.

Freshmen Choir
This mixed choir is open to men and women in the freshmen class. There is no audition required for the course. All members are required to perform for the fall, winter, spring concerts, and Organizational contest. Students are eligible to for the IHSA Solo & Ensemble contest in the spring. Members may also audition for New Impressions (show choir).

Concert Choir

This mixed choir is open to men and women in the sophomore – senior class. There is no audition required for the course. All members are required to perform for the fall, winter, spring concerts, and Organizational contest. Students are eligible to for the IHSA Solo & Ensemble contest in the spring. Members may also audition for New Impressions (show choir).

Advanced Concert Choir
This mixed choir is open to men and women in the junior – senior class. An audition with the director is required for this course. All members are required to perform for the fall, winter, spring concerts, and Organizational contest. Students are eligible to participate in the IHSA Solo & Ensemble contest in the spring. Members may also audition for New Impressions (show choir).

Madrigals
This choir involves the study and performance of madrigal music. This class is for the advanced singer/performer. This class offers the opportunity to learn and perform a cappella music in 4-6 parts. Members are required to perform for the Fall, Winter concerts and present the Madrigal Dinner in December. Members may also try-out for New Impressions.

Prerequisites: One Year of Chorus

Jazz Choir

This choir involves the study and performance of Jazz music. This class is for the advanced singer/performer. This class offers the opportunity to learn and perform a cappella and jazz music in 4-6 parts. Members are required to perform for the Spring concert, Organizational Contest and present the Night of Jazz in April. Members may also try-out for New Impressions.

Prerequisites: One Year of Chorus

New Impressions
The Central High School New Impressions is an extra-curricular choir that meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the mornings from 7:15 am till 8:00 am. Members consist of freshmen through seniors and all members are also part of the various choirs offered at Central High School. The choir of 32 vocalists and 6 combo members has been a staple in the Central community for several decades and enters into its fourth season of competition this year. They will compete at the Manteno "Main Event," the Watseka Show Choir Invitational, and finish off their season at the Herscher "Swing & Sing." Other events for the choir this year will include their big production "Nite-on-the-Town" in conjunction with the CHS Jazz Band.