North Penn Choral Showcase To Feature 750 Students

LANSDALE, PA – In a unique display of district-wide collaboration and solidarity, 750 North Penn School District (NPSD) students in grades four through 12 will participate in the 6th Annual NPSD Choral Showcase to be held on Thursday, January 14th at 7:00 p.m. in the North Penn High School Auditorium, the district announced Wednesday.

Students in choirs from 15 NPSD schools will perform selections of Christmas hymns, folk songs, jazzy madrigals, pop songs and lots of other winter musical delights.

Each choir will perform two selections from its winter concert repertoire. To close the show, all 750 students will join together to perform the exciting finale of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Since the NPSD Choral Showcase’s inception six years ago by Pennbrook Middle School Choral Director, Katie Campbell, the festival has grown considerably as more district schools have continued to join the program each year.

“We wanted to expose the students and teachers alike to the broad range of choral opportunities across the district. Working together to create this event highlights the benefits of music education such as collaboration, discipline and attention to detail. It emphasizes that each student must do their part for the entire group to excel,” says Campbell.

With such a broad range of ages participating in this showcase, students of all ages are given a unique opportunity to watch and learn from each other.

Gwyn-Nor Elementary School music teacher and district choral department chair Anthony Mancuso notes that this is one of the most exceptional and valued aspects of the program.

“The Choral Showcase is an incredible opportunity for our younger students to take a glimpse into their future as choral singers, to see the amazing opportunities waiting for them as they advance through the North Penn choral program,” Mancuso explains.

This year, the festival showcases choirs from 15 NPSD schools:

• Kulp Elementary School Chorus, led by Mrs. Debra Cribbs
• Bridle Path Elementary School Select Chorus, led by Mr. Michael Klenk
• General Nash Elementary School Select Choir, led by Ms. Lori Weidner
• Gwynedd Square Elementary School Select Chorus, led by Mrs. Jill Swavely;
• Gwyn-Nor Elementary School Chorus, led by Mr. Anthony Mancuso
• Hatfield Elementary School Chorus led by Mrs. Jacqui Ziegler
• Knapp Elementary School Chorus led by Mrs. Vikki Callan
• Montgomery Elementary School 5th and 6th Grade Chorus led by Ms. Melite Scherzinger
• North Wales Elementary School Select Choir led by Mrs. Tracy Calvaresi
• Oak Park Elementary School Chorus led by Mrs. Cathleen Keane
• Walton Farm Elementary School Chorus led by Mr. Mark Robart
• York Avenue Elementary School Chorus led by Ms. Lori Weidner
• Pennbrook Middle School Vocal Ensemble led by Mrs. Katie Campbell
• Pennfield Middle School Vocal Ensemble led by Mrs. Gloria Riley
• Penndale Middle School Camerata led by Mrs. Jennifer Klenk
• North Penn High School Men’s and Women’s Choirs led by Mr. Matthew Klenk

The North Penn High School Auditorium is located at 1340 Valley Forge Road in Lansdale.