HIGHTOWER TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOOL

EIGHTH GRADE CHORUS DIRECTOR: KATI STEWART

The Hightower Trail Middle School Eighth Grade Chorus has had a very unconventional middle school choral experience. These students joined chorus in the height of the pandemic during their sixth-grade year. At that time, we were 100% masked and socially distanced, 20-30% virtual, and only had 40 minutes of rehearsal time 4 days per week! Even though this choir did not put on their first full live performance until their seventh-grade year, their love of singing has helped them persevere through the tough times and carried them through all 3 years of chorus to this very special moment tonight. The Choral Department at HTMS has been under the direction of Kati Stewart since 2019. There are 3 non-auditioned ensembles: Sixth Grade Chorus, Seventh Grade Chorus, and Eighth Grade Chorus. Students rehearse for 50 minutes daily. The program maintains a continuous membership of over 300 singers. The students in this choir were previously taught by Bess Yunek at Tritt Elementary, Gina Davis at Mountain View Elementary, Patrick Hydo at Murdock Elementary, and Lynn Boland at Shallowford Falls Elementary. They will go on to sing for Zelda Johns at Pope High School. Hightower Trail Middle School, a Cobb County Public School, is located in Marietta, GA and opened in 1993. Our principal is Dr. Hannah Polk. Hightower Trail has been ranked in the top 10 of Georgia middle schools in each state report card issued. The school has been named a 2002-2003 Georgia School of Excellence as well as a 2009-2010 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. The school has an active PTSA and a non-profit Foundation. The band, chorus, and orchestra have all performed at the GMEA In-Service Conference. Additional academic achievements include: Gold Awards for Greatest Gains in 2017, National Beta School of Distinction, Music Program of the year Award in 2018, AdvancED STEM Certified School, Platinum Award for Highest Performing School in 2019 and most recently HTMS was recertified as a Model Professional Learning Community (PLC) School in the fall of 2022.

Dies Irae…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Ryan Main

In time of silver rain……………………………………………………………...…..………………………….Sarah Quartel Gather at the River………………………………..………………………………..………………………………….Brian Tate Tshosholoza………………………………………………………………………………….…..……………….Jeffrey L. Ames

Lovely Day…………………………………………………………………………………..……………..arr. Robert T. Gibson