High School Choir Spotlight – March 2024
Prince George’s County
What an exciting year for choral music in PGCPS! A remarkable 67 high school students and 71 middle school students were selected for the 2024-2025 PGCPS Honors Chorus, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication of young singers across the county. Leading the way in musical collaboration, the Thomas G. Pullen (TGP) Singers have set a new standard by featuring middle school students accompanying and performing together. At their Winter Concert, they delivered a stunning performance of the first movement of Antonio Vivaldi's Gloria alongside the TGP Chamber Orchestra—an inspiring moment of artistry and teamwork!
Watch their performance here. Bravo to these outstanding musicians!
The Laurel High School Choir has had an incredible few months, sharing their talents and dedication with the community through performances at the Laurel Towne Center Christmas Tree Lighting, Hughes Memorial UMC, Emmanuel UMC, and the MLK Day of Service at Laurel City Hall. Their excellence is reflected in the 22 students selected for the PGCPS Honors Chorus and the 10 students who earned spots in the Maryland All-State Chorus. Under the leadership of Mr. Kevin Lewis, Sr.—a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) candidate, Tenor-Bass Demonstration Chorus Manager for the 2024 MMEA Fall Conference, and MCEA President-Elect candidate—the choir continues to inspire and uplift through music. Their recent performance at the Black History Program at the Laurel Multi-Service Center further showcased their commitment to both artistry and community engagement. Bravo to these outstanding students and their dedicated director!
Howard County
The 2nd Annual HCPSS Gospel Choir Festival
The festival on Friday, February 7, 2025, brought together talented HCPSS students in grades 8-12 for a powerful day of music, culture, and community. They worked and performed at the Jim Rouse Theatre at Wilde Lake High School.
Coordinated by Howard High School Choral Director Ms. Carrie Hall, and sponsored by the Howard County Center of African-American Culture, this incredible event was led by some of the DMV’s top Gospel music educators—including this year’s outstanding musical director, Brandon Booth from ConneXions: A Community Based Arts School in Baltimore. Participants engaged in inspiring workshops, meaningful rehearsals, and an electrifying final concert performance!
Adding to the power of the event, we were also joined by the St. John Baptist Church Sacred Arts Ensemble, led by Dr. Rev. Antone Caldwell, whose incredible artistry and spirit made the experience even more unforgettable. To close out the festival in a truly special moment, HCPSS staff members joined the students on the final piece. This event was an inclusive opportunity for all interested students (not just those enrolled in choir!) to explore the history, culture, and style of African-American Gospel music while experiencing the pure joy of making music together.
Congratulations to the student musicians, Ms. Carrie Hall, the Howard County Center of African-American Culture, the St. John Baptist Church Sacred Arts Ensemble, HCPSS staff members, and everyone who brought this festival to life.