ArtQuest’s Vocal Music has a strong tradition of excellence in performance and providing a high quality music education. Vocal Music comprises four choral groups; A Cappella, Las Choralistas, Concert Choir, and Chamber Choir. Each group performs at three main concerts a year, as well as several other choral events locally and on tour.
In contrast to other ArtQuest specialties, vocal ensembles consist of only one hour of rehearsal per day. Regardless of vocal level, all choral music classes focus on the day-to-day rehearsal process. It is a goal of the program to build musicians out of singers. This means the continuing development of music reading skills including interval recognition, rhythmic proficiency and musical vocabulary development. Most class levels are determined through audition.
The SRHS Choirs perform many genres of music in various languages, both within the choirs and in small singing ensembles, including classical, musical theater, jazz, folk, doo-wop, contemporary pop, and more. Regardless of vocal level, all choral music classes focus on the day-to-day rehearsal process focusing on building musicians out of singers. You will become a stronger musician, an effective team player, make lasting friendships, and achieve personal growth and self-fulfillment that will remain with you long after leaving high school.
Rehearse, refine, prepare repertoire to perform at school concerts.
Choose a solo song from a wide range of vocal repertoire to perform during class.
Continuing development of music reading skills including interval recognition, rhythmic proficiency and musical vocabulary development.
Experience how singing improves community, connects us to one another and can be a life-affirming and changing experience.
Marla Tusa grew up in rural Canada where she developed a love of choral music. Tusa has a Bachelor of Music degree from Brandon University and a Bachelor of Education from Vancouver Island University. She has over 15 years of classroom experience, 20 years of private piano and voice lesson experience, and has directed youth and adult choirs, musical theater productions, rock bands, and concert bands. She has taught music at many elementary schools, most recently at Proctor Terrace Elementary. Tusa has sung with choirs her whole life and now sings alto with the chamber ensemble Cantiamo Sonoma.
