Eight Schools, One Voice

Eight Great Hearts Preparatory Academies will come together to present the Great Hearts Honor Choral Festival at Camelback Bible Church on Friday, April 21st, 2023. The event is a ‘festival-like’ experience for our top choristers across the Great Hearts Arizona network. Students have been preparing this music all semester and will spend the day of the concert rehearsing together under the direction of well-renowned clinician Dr. Ryan Holder before their evening performance at 7:30 PM where all are invited for this free admission concert.

Dr. Holder is the Associate Director of Choral Studies at Northern Arizona University, where he directs the Women’s Chorale, Northern Voices and High Altitude vocal jazz ensembles, teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting and choral methods, supervises choral student teachers, and serves as the adviser for the NAU student chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. “The Great Hearts Academies have a tradition of excellence in choral music, are led by some of the best music educators in the state, and sing with great depth and emotion,” said Dr. Holder. “I am looking forward to spending time with them on Friday making excellent music!”

In addition to working under Dr. Holder, students also have the privilege of working with accompanist Chris Granger. Mr. Granger obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a concentration in Piano Performance from Westminster College in rural New Wilmington, Pennsylvania and his Master’s in Choral Music Education from Kent State University. Mr. Granger is currently the Choir Director at Horizon Honors High School in Ahwatukee and Canto Accompanist & Music Literacy Instructor for the Phoenix Children’s Chorus. As an active collaborative pianist, he has performed with several school ensembles, chamber ensembles, and soloists in the Phoenix Metro area.

Anthem Prep, Arete Prep, Chandler Prep, Cicero Prep, Glendale Prep, Scottsdale Prep, Trivium Prep, and Veritas Prep choral students will unite to combine their voices in the 9th annual festival. This event has grown from its origin of three schools and 60 singers to the mass ensemble it is today. Organizers are looking forward to celebrating the 10^th year chorale event next year.

Scholars who have attended in years’ past have greatly benefited from the opportunity. “I really value getting to hear feedback from a variety of accomplished directors,” said Scottsdale Prep student, Henry Wessel. “It exposes us to different techniques, and the ability to blend sound with people from around the network. It’s really a lot of fun!”

Another Scottsdale Prep scholar, Holly Colliat, appreciated the community aspect. “It’s nice to be a part of the greater Great Hearts community, and I enjoyed meeting new people!  Hearing the experience [of the director] inspired me in my journey, because I got to relate to their experience and see that I can sing beyond [my time at] Scottsdale Prep,” she said.

The concert will first consist of individual selections from each school and will conclude with the mass choir singing all four Great Hearts Honors Choir songs together. This capstone experience is an opportunity to showcase what each school has accomplished, to learn more and grow more, and to meet new people they wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to meet from other academies.

If you are unable to attend the 7:30 concert at Camelback Bible Church, you can view the livestream of the choral performance at https://greathearts.live.

Do you have a story or know of a story that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts?  Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org.