Vocal Music - St. John's College High School

Vocal Performing Arts

SJC’s vocal performing arts encompasses a variety of ensembles for every type of singer at all ability levels. The core of the program begins with three academic courses offered during the school day. In addition, there is an array of extracurricular ensembles and club activities that foster a supportive and collaborative performance-learning environment and provide unique community-building opportunities for all students!

Academic Classes

SJC Chorus/Novice

This entry-performance ensemble, for all freshman and any new singer at St. John’s, focuses on introducing vocal pedagogy to each individual singer, while reinforcing choral basics and multiple-part harmonization.

Novice singers new to an ensemble thrive in this setting! Scholarship recipients or singers with more experience are given opportunities for leadership and help to establish a strong performance community.

Concert Choir/Intermediate

This secondary performance level is designated for returning singers in 10th–12th grade and does not require an audition; however, students should take SJC Chorus/Novice as a prerequisite course prior to registering for this class.

Each year, students expand their choral music repertoire, improve vocal technique and range, and advance their music literacy and sight-reading skills.

Advanced Vocal Studies

This is the leading choral ensemble at St. John’s, and our most advanced course offering for vocalists. The purpose of this class is to prepare students to pursue vocal performing arts at the collegiate level. It is an auditioned ensemble of approximately 15 voices based on audition score results. Students audition at the end of the spring semester to then register for the course the following year. Instructional emphasis is placed on part independence, the development of superior vocal technique, advanced sight reading and theory application, and four to eight-part harmonization.

Extracurricular Ensembles

Chamber Singers

This is the top extracurricular ensemble of mixed voices that meets after school, twice a week, in preparation for a regional music festival competition each spring. Auditions take place in early September and are open to all grade levels.

This group is for the more advanced singer and focuses on expanding the traditional choral repertoire—incorporating classics as well as modern-day choral masterworks.

Musical Theater

Each spring, the vocal music program teams up with St. John’s Theatre for a musical production. Auditions take place in late January.

The music director works closely with both the cast and ensemble members on all vocal parts in addition to instructing and conducting a student and faculty pit orchestra. This combination creates a phenomenal cross-collaboration with the entire performing arts department!

TBD…

With an unconventional name (“To Be Determined…”) and no audition required, this ensemble acts as a large voice lesson for any changed-voice tenor or bass singer wishing to improve vocal technique.

Meeting once a week during a homeroom/activity period, it is easy for any student to accommodate this ensemble into their schedule!

Music Ministry

Student-Lead Clubs and Moderated Activities

SJC Glee

No audition required. This extracurricular ensemble is open to any student wishing to learn basic choreography, pair singing with movement, and perform contemporary and current vocal literature.

Music selection is often pop, a cappella, or Broadway-based. It is a fun, high-energy, student-focused and moderated group that meets formally one day a week after school to rehearse and polish combined efforts.

Aoidos Polyhymnia

Guitar & Ukulele Club

Open Mic Night

Each year the Performing Arts Department transforms St. John’s Cassidy Commons into a cozy coffee house atmosphere and hosts an evening of performance art sharing.

It is one of the purest exhibitions of our Lasallian community—meeting and supporting each student where they are and providing the safe space for creative vulnerability to not only be welcomed but celebrated!

Vocal Music Scholarships for Incoming Students

$500–$2,000/year for four consecutive years

Vocal music scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate notable achievement in vocal music. Scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000 are awarded each year, depending on a student’s audition. Auditions are held in January and may be scheduled online after the application deadline.

Choirs/Vocal Scholarship Auditions Signup

Meet the Faculty

Kate Fernandez

Choral Arts Teacher

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