North Hills Jr. High Concert Choir Earns Superior Rating At Festival

The North Hills Junior High School Concert Choir and World Drumming Ensemble recently earned a superior rating at the High Note Festival at Carnegie Mellon University.

The ensembles earned scores of 96 out of 100.  This marks that the Concert Choir has earned a rating of Superior, the highest mark given by the judges.

Adjudicators Dr. Natalie Ozeas, professor of music at Carnegie Mellon University, and voice faculty member Laura Very noted the group’s rhythmic accuracy, appropriateness of song choices, and strength of the choir’s sound with its inclusion of freshmen.

“We were pleased with what the judges had to say to us, and were happy to be able to showcase our collaborative musical efforts to professionals outside the district,” North Hills choral director Shaun Cloonan said.

 “Sharing in the music-making process with the drummers has raised the level of musicianship for all involved.  It was fulfilling to earn a high judges’ rating to reflect their hard work.”  

The Concert Choir and Drumming Ensembles are both extra-curricular music ensembles open to all students in grades 7 through 9.  The Drumming Ensemble is led by junior high music teacher Heidi Kohne, and the Concert Choir is co-directed by Mr. Cloonan and North Hills Junior High’s newest music faculty member, Renee Ward.  

For more information about the choral music program at North Hills, visit www.northhillschoralmusic.org.

- Submitted by Tina Vojtko on behalf of the North Hills School District. Have news you'd like to share with Patch readers? Email information and photos to Richard Cook at richinpgh@gmail.com.

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