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CCHS choir program receives national exposure

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

The Charles City High School choir program is receiving some prestigious recognition this month.

Vocal director Derek Sturtevant learned last week that the choir is being featured in an article on the CS Music magazine website. Sturtevant said CS Music is a well-known worldwide music resource, especially for classical singers and voice teachers.

“It’s really cool to be able to share the great things that are happening in our choir program with a national audience,” Sturtevant said. “This type of nationwide exposure does not happen often in schools of our size.”

CS Music is a resource and platform for auditions, jobs and scholarships that help students, young artists, and emerging professionals connect with schools, companies and professionals. CS Music resources include articles and audition listings, vocal competition information and feedback, online master classes, university and summer program listings, artist and teacher profiles and other recruiting tools.

Its online magazine features “unique and impactful high schools, universities, summer programs, young artist programs, and other organizations that help singers,” the website says. The article can be seen online at www.csmusic.net/content/articles/high-school-program-spotlight/.

Sturtevant said he was excited to see the CCHS program featured.

“I think any time that you can get the word out that choral music and the arts in general are thriving in Charles City, it is a benefit to our community as a whole,” Sturtevant said. “I feel a great sense of pride for the dedicated students we have and the support we get from our administration and community. Our program would not be what it is without this vital support.”

The article states that CCHS is unique because of its expansive vocal jazz and extracurricular music program for a school of its size. Also, both of Charles City’s curricular choirs are non-auditioned, which means that any student, regardless of singing experience, can be a part of the choir.

About 150 students at Charles City are involved in choir, musical theater and voice. In addition, there are two curricular choirs at CCHS, each consisting of between 60-80 students that produce four concert performances a year. CCHS also has four auditioned vocal jazz ensembles — each consisting of 16 members — and an auditioned chamber choir of between 20-25 students.

“I am very proud of how our students tackle challenges and push themselves to become better musicians,” Sturtevant said. “We have created a culture of excellence that that students take pride in.”

Sturtevant said that students at Charles City have the opportunity to participate in Iowa All-State Auditions, Solo and Ensemble Festival, a bi-annual music trip, individual weekly voice lessons, and an annual musical theater production.

“Our extracurricular ensembles help to grow and challenge our advanced singers while our curricular choirs invite all students to sing,” Sturtevant said. “Our program is focused on helping students to grow as young adults while challenging them musically.”

Sturtevant said he hopes the recognition will help the fine arts in Charles City continue to thrive and expand.

“I would like to see our program continue to grow and to impact as many students as possible,” Sturtevant said. “I would like to continue to make the choir room at our school a safe place for all students to learn and grow as musicians and as people.”

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