New ensembles in the choir are changing the tune of the music program because the Men’s Choir and Women’s Choir are set to begin in the next couple of weeks, and students are eagerly awaiting their arrival.

  Choir director Jay Althouse has been working hard to get the message to students that there are new opportunities to sing in school.

  “The idea is…to make the middle school and high school, as well as anybody outside…the music program [perform together],” Althouse said. “But they don’t have to be in choir, so they might want to sing [and] they can come join Men’s Choir or Women’s Choir.”

  The Men’s and  Women’s choir has created another opportunity to students to sing at another time than 3rd period choir. In addition, Althouse says it was formed, “to do other repertoire. It’s a different setting, it’s a little less formal, a little more laid-back.”

  Althouse certainly is not the only one excited about these additions. Senior Amy Whitesell intends to join the Women’s Choir.

  “The Women Choir…gives some girls the opportunity to sing like really, really low if they need to carry the bottom part,” Whitesell said. “But the men choir especially gives the guys the opportunity to sing some other parts.”

  These new choir ensembles open up vocal opportunities for not only the choir students, but also the entire school. There will be no auditions, so anyone interested can show up at Men’s Choir Monday or Women’s Choir Wednesday, both at 7:00 a.m. in the choir room.

Junior Rachel Sergent has previously been a part of Chanticleer, another choir ensemble that is a mixture of boys and girls performing all sorts of music.

  “I like being in Chanticleer because it allows me to sing with people who have a better understanding of music,” Sergent said.

  Sergent hopes that the Women’s Choir and Men’s Choir will be perceived just as positively as Chanticleer and that many people will come see their performances.

  Many are thrilled to join these new ensembles and have already begun their preparations to ensure their success throughout the school year.