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District Choir Festival Provides Showcase of Musical Diversity and Learning

Student sings solo with choir

With music ranging from Doja Cat to Schindler’s List, the Tempe Elementary School District Choir Festival on January 24 was an interactive learning experience that offered students a little bit of everything.

The annual Festival invited four middle school intermediate choirs from around the District, Cecil Shamley School, Connolly Middle School, Fees College Preparatory Middle School, and Ward Traditional Academy, to come together to perform choral pieces in front of their peers. 

The event also included the expertise of guest adjudicator, Katie Bortnem, Choral Director at Highland High School. Bortnem provided individualized feedback and real-time instruction to each choir that helped strengthen their skills and take their performance to the next level.

Choir performs with piano accompaniment

The Festival showcased the array of choirs from across TD3 middle schools. Performances from each choir showcased their unique qualities. Some groups incorporated solos and accompaniment into their pieces, while others highlighted the challenges and strengths of ensemble-sized groups. This variety provided the opportunity for students to enjoy different styles of choral performance and learn from diverse methods.

Even though Cecil Shamley School’s choir was far smaller than their counterparts, Director Todd Hoover feels like his students gained a lot from the experience.

“The adjudicator's performance feedback gave them greater comprehension of their strengths and weaknesses as musicians,” Hoover said. “The overall event formed a very fond memory that they will be able to carry with them for the rest of their lives.”

Connolly Middle School Director Meka Sampler echoed Hoover’s sentiments regarding the value of this experience.

“I loved watching our adjudicator Ms. Bortnem get the students to have so much fun and love singing,” she said. “I think the best way to improve as a musician is by watching other people perform, and that is what we were able to do at the festival!”

The structure of the festival, including opportunities to receive feedback from field experts, isn’t just available to TD3 choirs. Middle school band and orchestra programs throughout the District also participate in similar events each year. 

Best Communities for Music Education logo

Unique offerings like these learning festivals position Tempe Elementary as a pillar of fine arts education in the Valley. In 2023, the District was honored by the NAMM Foundation as a Best Communities for Music Education district for the fifth year in a row. This award recognizes and celebrates schools and districts for their support and commitment to music education. Fine Arts Coordinator Courtney Darby is grateful to be in a District dedicated to the arts, including support from the Tempe Impacts Education (TIE) Foundation who provides food and snacks for events throughout the year, and the City of Tempe who has provided grant opportunities for arts programs across the city.

“It's important to me that we are a community that not only supports, but invests in the arts,” she said. “We work together to ensure that a Fine Arts education is available to all students.”

About Tempe Elementary School District Fine Arts
Tempe Elementary School District and its community are committed to providing rich and varied experiences for our students. For specific fine arts opportunities offered at your school, please contact the individual site or the District Fine Arts office. Learn more about the TD3 Fine Arts Program.