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RCPS Middle School Choral Event

RCPS Middle School Students Perform with Maryland State Boychoir

On Friday January 25th, the choral students and directors of Wilbur Pence, J.Frank Hillyard, and Montevideo Middle Schools participated in a choral clinic and concert with the Maryland State Boychoir at Wilbur Pence Middle School.  This invaluable experience, co-lead by the Maryland State Boychoir directors, Stephen Holmes and Frank Cimino, allowed 6th, 7th and 8th grade choral students to learn various warm ups, vocal techniques, and folk songs while exposing them to choral people and programs in other parts of Rockingham County.

The Maryland State Boychoir arrived from Hagerstown, MD around mid-morning, and warmed up the middle school choirs with breathing techniques and vocal warm-ups.  After preparing the student’s voices, Holmes and Cimino proceeded to teach the choirs a Brazilian rugby song and a Nigerian folk song, both of which were catchy and canonic in nature.  The middle school students then had the opportunity to perform those numbers with the Maryland State Boychoir during two school-wide assemblies held after lunch at Wilbur Pence.

Also in attendance at this event was Julia White, founder and director of the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choirs; Bill Sprinkel, supervisor for RCPS; and Dr. Carol Fenn, Superintendent of RCPS.

Info Submitted by Melinda Shiflet, MMS Choral Director