Grammy Foundation (R) Honors NHS Music Program - Choirs Sing in the Season

The Grammy Foundation (R) has named the Northville High School music program as a national semi-finalist in the 2014 Grammy (R) Signature Schools (www.grammyintheschools.com) competition.  Created in 1998, this prestigious program recognizes top U.S. public high schools that make outstanding commitments to music education during an academic year.  Finalists will be announced in March 2014, and will receive custom awards and music program grants ranging from $1000 to $15,000.  Over 20,000 public high schools were eligible to enter.  Seven of the 123 semi-finalist schools are in Michigan.

On another high note, Michigan's largest high school vocal music program takes the spotlight for a series of holiday concerts.  Northville High School's ten award-winning choirs join the school's three equally accomplished symphonic bands later this month to present an electic gift of festive seasonal music.

The Chorale's stunning candlelight procession into the darkened auditorium is part of each night's concert as is "A Christmas Festival" by Leroy Anderson, performed by Symphonic Band 11/12.  The first two nights' concerts will, as always, kick off with "Christmas Spectacular", expertly presented by Symphonic Band 9 and Symphonic Band 10.

A bonus choir caps off each night's musical celebration.  Current choir students share the stage with the FATS (Friends, Family, Alumni, Teachers and Students) Choir for a carol medley and Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus".  This well-loved tradition began in the mid 1980s, and always fills the stage with harmonies, friendships, memories and holiday spirit.

Performances are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings (December 17-19) in the NHS auditorium.  All begin at 7 p.m.  Concert Choir, Chorale, Chamber Choir, TrebleMakers, BackBeat and Freshman Select sing all three nights.  Other choirs add their own special touches on specific nights.  Nightly choir lists are on the choir program's new website:  northvillehighschoolchoirs.weebly.com

Music Boosters' raffle ticket sales conclude on Thursday night.  Music program families are asked to sell two $50 tickets to supplement the program's funding in many strategic ways.  Tickets for cash and prizes will be drawn during Thursday's afterglow (with light snacks and desserts) in the school cafeteria.  All who attend the final concert are welcomed to attend.  Donations to Northville Civic Concern will be collected.  The annual choir alumni party will be at the Pryce home following the afterglow.

$7 concert tickets are available at the door prior to each concert and through choir director Mary Kay Pryce at prycema@northvilleschools.org.
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