by Britney Morgan
The Maynard H. Jackson High School Women’s Chorus received straight superior ratings at the Georgia Music Educators Association’s Large Group Performance Evaluation, Choral Festival. The chorus also received an excellent rating in sight reading.
The evaluation requires the students to perform selections from a state list provided by GMEA. The Maynard Jackson Women’s Chorus performed “Let There Be Peace on Earth” by Sy Miller & Jill Jackson and “Elijah Rock” arranged by Jester Harriston.
Students performed in front of three adjudicators, each giving a rating of either superior, excellent, good, fair or poor. The ratings are based on seven categories including; tone, pitch, rhythm, ensemble, diction, interpretations and other factors such as choice of music, appearance and stage presence. Jackson’s Women’s Chorus received straight Superior ratings in the Large Group Performance Evaluation.
They received excellent in their sight reading performance. The talented group of young ladies were given 5 minutes to take a piece of music they’ve never seen before and sing it acapella in 3 part harmony.
2 Soloists, Selema Gonzalez and Cecila Cole, participated in the GMEA solo and ensemble contest both receiving superior ratings as well.
Maynard Jackson High School’s Choral Instructor and 2014-2015 Teacher of the Year, Lydia Williams said that she is extremely proud of her talented group of young ladies and that they put in many hours before, during and after school to prepare for this event.
She explained that when students practiced during class time they started out with vocalizes (warm-ups) using solfeggio (do-re-me-fa-so-la-ti-do) followed by sight reading practice as a large group and in sectionals utilizing the Curwen hand signs to work on intervals.
They also use the digital piano lab to reinforce pitch recognition.
“They even rehearsed in my absence,” said Williams. “I’m very proud of their leadership and phenomenal talent.”
The Maynard Jackson Women’s Chorus is now preparing for the APS High School Honor Chorus Weekend March 20-21, their spring concert in April and graduation in May.
For more information about the Georgia Music Educators Association visit GMEA.org.
