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Choral Program
The choral program in Memphis City Schools is designed so that students experience a broad range of musical styles in rehearsals and in performances. The middle school choir program starts with Beginning Choir building on the singing experiences from elementary Orff Music. Then they have, Intermediate Choir and Performing Choir levels which model the Tennessee Student Performance Indicators. During this time most students will have the opportunity to participate in the All-Southwest Middle/Junior School Honor Choir each year, vocal solo & ensemble and choir festivals.
The secondary Choral program provides numerous opportunities for performance, competitions and additional assessments. Many schools add specialty choirs in high school such as Swing/Show Choir, Jazz Choir, and Chamber Singers. High school students focus on moving from the intermediate Tennessee SPIs to meeting the proficient level. Chamber and Honor Choirs should be working on mastering the advanced SPIs.
Points of Interest
- All vocal/choral music programs in Memphis City Schools are taught by “Highly Qualified” teachers, as specified in the No Child Left Behind Act.
- Outstanding choral textbooks and other learning materials are provided for every school choir program and teacher.
- MCS choral teachers actively participant in relevant music staff development several times a year, with many follow up opportunities.
- More experienced choral teachers mentor newer music teachers.
- MCS choral music teachers are trained and directed to teach a sequential music curriculum based on the State and National Standards.
- MCS choral educators are strongly encouraged to be active members of their professional organizations, West TN Vocal Music Educators Association and the American Choral Directors Association. These organizations provide numerous opportunities for performance, competition, and assessment for students and teachers.
- Memphis City Schools has proven, time and time again, its dedication to a strong arts education of every child……rare in many parts of the country.
- Research has shown that students with 3 or more years of standards-based music study score, on average, substantially higher on standardized academic tests such as the SAT and ACT. The more years of study…the higher the scores. We believe strongly that it is our duty to provide the highest possible, quality music education for every student in our schools.
- Dr. Jeff Brewer, President of the Tennessee Music Educators Association and an MCS music teacher states “We are fortunate to have a music supervisor who is a strong advocate for music teachers and their students. Many school systems do not have this.”
