AHS CHOIRS
Nestled between the beautiful Michigan lakeshore and the city of Grand Rapids is the town of Allendale, home of the proud Allendale Falcons! Many also know Allendale as the location of Grand Valley State University's campus. This developing area of West Michigan has created new jobs attracting many families, and as a result, Allendale schools have grown immensely in just the last 20 years. Class sizes continue to grow annually as more sections are added at the elementary to accommodate greater numbers of students.
At the high school, the population is around 800 students. Choir students are represented in every aspect of our high school in activities such as athletics, stage productions, student government, and clubs. It is a place to be accepted for who you are and to be challenged to be all that you can be! Our over 100 choir students are divided into four different, skill-based ensembles:
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Treble Chorus
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Concert Choir
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Select Women's Ensemble
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Chamber Choir
Each ensemble receives instruction in vocal technique, sightreading, music theory and history, and stage performance. Additional information and course descriptions can be found below!
TREBLE CHORUS
Treble Chorus is a beginning skill level high school SA choir. Students in this ensemble rehearse and perform a wide variety of unison, two-, and three-part literature throughout the year, including repertoire in three different foreign languages. An emphasis is placed on proper breathing technique, understanding of vocal physiology, expressive elements of the voice, stage performance, and sightreading. Members of the Women's Chorus learn how to function as part of a team, developing communication and leadership skills through classroom interactions. Major performances during the year include the Fall Concert, Holiday Pops, Pre-Festival Concert, District Choral Festival, and Collage. Other performances may be scheduled as the opportunity arises. This is a year-long (three trimesters) course.
CONCERT CHOIR
Concert Choir is a beginning skill level high school TB choir. Students in this ensemble rehearse and perform a wide variety of two- to three-part literature throughout the year, including repertoire in three different foreign languages. An emphasis is placed on proper breathing technique, understanding of vocal physiology, expressive elements of the voice, stage performance, and sightreading. Members of the Concert Choir learn how to function as part of a team, developing communication and leadership skills through classroom interactions. Major performances during the year include the Fall Concert, Holiday Pops, Pre-Festival Concert, District Choral Festival, and Collage. Other performances may be scheduled as the opportunity arises. This is a year-long (three trimesters) course.
SELECT WOMEN'S ENSEMBLE
Select Women's Ensemble is an intermediate to advanced skill level high school SSAA choir consisting of 10th-12th grade women. Students in this ensemble are expected to have a heightened understanding of breathing technique, vocal physiology, expressive elements of the voice, and demonstrated at least intermediate level proficiency in sightreading. The Select Women's Ensemble rehearses and performs a wide variety of two-, three-, and four-part literature throughout the year, including repertoire in at least three different foreign languages. Members of the Select Women's Ensemble exhibit positive leadership and communication skills, have good work ethic, and function well as part of a team. Instructional emphasis is placed on vocal technique, sightreading, stage performance, and a more sophisticated level of musicality. Major performances during the year include the Fall Concert, Holiday Pops, Pre-Festival Concert, District and State Solo & Ensemble Festivals, District and State Choral Festivals, and Collage. Other performances may be scheduled as the opportunity arises. This is a year-long (three trimesters) course.
CHAMBER CHOIR
Chamber Choir is an intermediate to advanced skill level high school SATB choir. Students in this ensemble are expected to have a heightened understanding of breathing technique, vocal physiology, expressive elements of the voice, and demonstrated at least intermediate level proficiency in sightreading. The Chamber Choir rehearses and performs a wide variety of literature throughout the year, including repertoire in at least three different foreign languages. Members of the Chamber Choir exhibit positive leadership and communication skills, have good work ethic, and function well as part of a team. Instructional emphasis is placed on vocal technique, sightreading, stage performance, and a more sophisticated level of musicality. Major performances during the year include the Fall Concert, Holiday Pops, Pre-Festival Concert, District and State Solo & Ensemble Festivals, District and State Choral Festivals, and Collage. Other performances may be scheduled as the opportunity arises. This is a year-long (three trimesters) course.
EMILY VERDONK, DIRECTOR
Emily Verdonk is in her ninth year of teaching, and eighth at Allendale High School. She graduated from Western Michigan University in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in K-12 Music Education. After teaching for one year at Nekoosa High School in Wisconsin, her roots brought her back home to Michigan! In addition to directing the four AHS Choirs, Emily also sings with the Schola Choir at St. Andrew's Cathedral. This summer, she completed her masters degree in music in education at Michigan State University. She studies private voice with the fabulous retired international opera singer, Nicholas Loren, in Holland. She is an avid Tigers baseball fan and marching band enthusiast! Emily currently lives in Grand Rapids with her beloved goffin cockatoo, Hoppy, and sweet old kitty, Tiger.
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Contact: verdonkemi@apsfalcons.net or (616) 892-5585 ext. 1810
ANGIE GREEN, ACCOMPANIST
This is Mrs. Green’s fifth year at Allendale. She has previously accompanied choirs from several other schools, and has taught piano lessons for many years. She began playing the piano at a very young age and has been accompanying various soloists and groups for over 35 years.
