THE CHOIRS
The Gunn High School Choir is an award winning choir program directed by Mr. William Liberatore (Director) and Ms. Angeline Fitzhugh (Director). Approximately 150 students with a passion for music, exceptional talent, and commitment to performance participate in the choir. The choir program meets over 3 class periods during the school week and participates in several concerts throughout the school year. It is a performance oriented program giving the opportunity to hone the singer’s confidence and vocal talent in a supportive and collaborative environment. The Choir tours locally, nationally, and internationally to multiple destinations. The Choir Program consists of three choral ensembles:
The Treble Choir
The Treble Choir is open to freshmen and sophomore female students who enjoy singing and desire to participate in a quality-singing group. There is a strong emphasis on improving and increasing the vocal capabilities of the student. Students study the basic music fundamentals—notes, rests, clefs, signatures, lines and spaces, rhythmic patterns, and much more.
​
The repertoire is drawn from our global heritage, including but not limited to the following musical cultures: African, Asian, Eastern and Western European, Indian, Middle Eastern, Latin American and North American. The chosen music is sung in the language of each culture. As a result of having discussed, studied and performed the above,students will have a greater appreciation of cultural similarities and differences plus an increased awareness of the many contributions that enhance our lives. Although an active interest in singing is necessary, no previous experience is required. This is a UC approved course.
The Concert Choir
The Concert Choir is open to all students who enjoy singing and desire to participate in a quality singing group. There is a strong emphasis on vocal training, production, phrasing, and diction with special work devoted to extending the vocal range of the singers. Basic music theory is included to aid in the improvement of sight-reading. Both performance and written tests are part of the curriculum. Memorization of performance music and consistent attendance is required.
​
Music is drawn from our global heritage, including, but not limited to, the following musical cultures: African, Asian, Eastern and Western European, Indian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, and North American. The chosen music is sung in the language of each culture. As a result of having discussed, studied, and performed the above, students will have a greater appreciation of cultural similarities and differences plus an increased awareness of the many contributions which enhance our lives.
​
There will be several performance opportunities for all: concerts, choir tours, music revues, district/area festivals, Baccalaureate, alumni, solo/ensemble, and feeder school concerts. There will also be opportunities for individuals to audition for other ensembles and participate in All-State Honor Choir and National Honor Choirs. This course is available for Career Technical Education credit to students in grades 11-12 with teacher approval. This is a UC approved course.
The Chamber Singers (Advanced Vocals)
This audition-based ensemble is open to students currently enrolled in Concert Choir who have had a minimum of a year of training and performance with a choral group. The students meet during evenings (with some special sectionals/rehearsals during lunch). It is a performance-oriented course, emphasizing vocal production, music reading skills, rehearsals and performance of advanced level repertoire appropriate to chamber singing. From madrigals to music of the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern, and Contemporary periods the repertoire represents cultures from around the world. The students are expected to memorize music independently and to perform extensively.
​
Auditions are held during the first week of school. This is a UC approved class.
Music Education: AP Music Theory
This course taught by Mr. William Liberatore (Choir Director) can be taken for AP credit if enrolled for the full year and all additional AP course work has been completed. Basic music theory, i.e., names of lines and spaces of the grand staff, clef signs, key and time signatures, note and rest values, and scales, both major and minor, will serve as an introduction to the course. Ear training and dictation, sight-reading and sight-singing, form and analysis, and elementary orchestration will be part of the course. The harmony portion of the course will include the study of: chord structures, positions and inversions, harmonization of bass and soprano lines, use of the figured bass, and analysis of compositions for piano, chorus, and orchestra. As a result of this study, students will be able to compose an original work and notate it correctly. This original composition will be performed in June and is required.
This course is open to all Gunn High School students in Grades 11-12 who are interested to study the course. If a student is uncertain if their musical background is sufficient, they can take a pretest to determine their level of experience with musical notation. This is a UC approved course.