GHHS choirs win honors at state festival

Tue, May 13, 2008    to del.icio.us

Two Grand Haven High School choirs have hit the high notes of state competition this year.

The Michigan School Vocal Music Association has recognized both the GHHS Chamber Choir and Sweet Harmony, a 12-man ensemble, as two of the most impressive performers in the state.

The festival took place May 1-2.

Both groups are comprised of 11th- and 12th-graders and are under the direction of Shirley Lemon.

The Chamber Choir received the association's Outstanding Choir recognition, which is given to the top two performing choirs in the state.

"This is the highest honor that MSVMA offers," Lemon said. "It can be likened to a state champion."

The Outstanding Choir award is chosen by a panel of hand-selected judges who listen to recordings of choirs without knowing who is performing. Pitch, tone and musicianship are among the most highly scrutinized elements of the recording.

The Chamber Choir was also chosen for the award in 2000 and 2003.

"What makes the award for Chamber Choir so wonderful is that they are a non-select group — you don't need an audition," Lemon said.

The GHHS program is the only non-select group to have won the award.

The GHHS Sweet Harmony group was ranked among the top 12 vocal ensembles in the state by the association.

In other choir news, four GHHS choirs — Chorale, Chorus, Concert Choir and Chamber Choir — competed in the state choir festival, where they all received superior ratings.