NJMEA Elementary, Middle School & High School Choral Academy

Libby Gopal

East Windsor Regional School District

lgopal[at]ewrsd.k12.nj.us

On Saturday, January 14, NJMEA and NJ-ACDA partnered to offer the Elementary/Middle School/High School Choir Academy at Rutgers University. This urban outreach advocacy initiative focused on removing barriers for students who are interested in participating in any New Jersey Honors Choral Ensemble. The goal of the choral academy was to empower students through a positive and meaningful ensemble experience. Through this free inclusive and equitable event, the goal was to help prepare our choir students for successful auditions, whether it was for their local community choir, Regions, All-State, or college auditions. The event was hosted at Rutgers University’s Shindell Hall and Voorhees Chapel in New Brunswick, NJ.

The students had an amazing day at their respective choral academies. The 3rd through 12th Grade Choral Academy had ninety-six students with seventeen teachers from fourteen different schools from Central and North Jersey present: Littleton elementary school, Ranney School, JA Coles Elementary School, Mendham Township Elementary School, Speedway School, Township of Ocean Intermediate school, Linwood School, Terrill Middle School, Brooklawn Middle School, Carteret Junior High School, Chartertech High School for the Performing Arts, Montgomery Township High School, Arts High School, and Hightstown High School.

The clinicians - Dr. Brandon Williams (HS) from Rutgers University; Helen Kernizan (MS/ES); and Chaequan Anderson (MS/ES) - reviewed all the major components of the regions and All-State Chorus audition. Thanks to the hard work of these fabulous clinicians accompanied by David Malyszko (HS) and Moriah Kam (MS/ES), the students were able to practice their audition scales, sight-read, and explore audition repertoire.