Chorus

Father Ryan encourages its students to develop their musical abilities through several avenues, including choral programs. The school offers courses to develop vocal and performance skills and through these courses, students travel and perform in concerts throughout the country. Beginners and advanced courses are available. 

Beginning Chorus

The goals of this course are to help the student develop basic musicianship skills, including learning how to read music, and to master the fundamentals of good vocal and choral technique. Singers will perform a variety of styles of music and learn to sing in harmony.

The Beginning Chorus will perform in 1-2 concerts per year as appropriate. Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is required.

Grades 9-12 Elective 2 semesters 1 credit
Prerequisites: None

Honors Choir

The aim of this course is to provide students with opportunities to perform more challenging music, to develop more fully their vocal and performance skills, and to learn to hear harmony more spontaneously. Each student must audition with the director and be taking private voice instruction either at school or with a vocal teacher approved by the school.

Students will be required to audition for the All- State Chorus and to participate in the MTSU Honors Choir, the TAIS Honors Choir or another such choir if requested. In addition, students must either perform in a student recital or have a principal singing role in the spring musical.

Grades 10-12 Elective 2 semesters 1 credit
Prerequisites: Selection by audition and recommendation

Mixed Chorus: Father Ryan Singers

This group is a performance group for the more experienced singer. Students will continue to improve vocal technique and learn to sing varied styles of music from several periods of music history as they perform works ranging from sacred music to contemporary popular music. Attendance at all performances and rehearsals is required.

Grades 10-12 Elective 2 semesters 1 credit
Prerequisites: Beginning Choir or recommendation

Middle Tennessee Vocal Association Choral Festival

The Father Ryan Singers will be performing at the Middle Tennessee Vocal Association Choral Festival on February 25 in Murfreesboro. Their performance will be adjudicated, and they will receive taped comments from 3 judges; they will also be required to demonstrate their sight-reading ability.

Heritage Festivals

15 women from the choir will be traveling to Atlanta to perform in a choral festival sponsored by Heritage Festivals March 27-29. The ladies will be performing 3 pieces of various styles and will again be adjudicated. While there, they will be visiting CNN Headquarters and the Coca-Cola plant, as well as spend Saturday at Six Flags Over Georgia.

Spring Concert

The Spring Concert will be on April 28 in the Center for the Arts. Music selections will range from the medieval to popular contemporary and will feature songs in French, Russian, Latin and Chinese.