Music in Our Schools: Staunton Schools celebrate month of accolades, honors

Staunton Schools is celebrating a season of high musical achievement in March, also known as Music in Our Schools Month.

From hosting prestigious district events to earning top honors at state assessments, Staunton Schools students and staff continue to demonstrate their talent and passion for music. A total of 57 Staunton middle and high school students were recently accepted into at least one honors ensemble, and six students participated in three or more honors ensembles.

“Our choir students have been working incredibly hard this semester, preparing for district and all-state choir events, concerts, and choral assessment. We’re putting a big emphasis on collaboration and teamwork, not just within our ensemble but also in how we connect with our audience. Choral music has such a unique way of bringing people together, and we’re excited to share that sense of unity and community through our performances,” Lillian Harner, Staunton High music teacher and choir director, said.

Staunton High School hosted the middle and high school all-district choir and band events, and welcomed more than 500 selected band and choir students from: Augusta, Bath, Highland, Page, Rockbridge and Rockingham county schools, and Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton and Waynesboro city schools.

Students rehearsed with guest clinicians and performed in the John Lewis Auditorium, showcasing their hard work and musical artistry.

Staunton High bands and choirs had some exceptional achievements also in March. At their District V band assessment, both Staunton High symphonic and concert bands received excellent and superior ratings, earning an overall rating of excellent. And:

12 students were accepted into the All-District Choir
9 students were accepted into All-District Band
9 students were accepted into the Valley Honor Band
1 student was accepted into the All-District Jazz Band

Four outstanding Staunton High vocalists earned a coveted spot in the All-Virginia Chorus and will represent Staunton Schools in Richmond April 24 to 26:

Anne Moody (Junior, Soprano 1)
Martha Jane Harrell (Junior, Alto 1)
Maggie Cox (Sophomore, Soprano 2)
Olivia Wells (Sophomore, Alto 2)

Cox and Wells have each been selected once before for the ensemble. All four students placed in the top four of their vocal sections.

Shelburne Middle School musicians have also had extraordinary success, earning numerous district placements and high ratings at state assessments:

27 students were accepted into the All-District Band
23 students were accepted into the Valley Honor Band
7 students were accepted into All-District Choir
4 students were accepted into the All-District Jazz Band

Remarkably, the 7th- and 8th-grade bands received superior ratings at state assessment, earning the title of “Virginia Program of Honor.”

“This is a new honor created this year to award bands meeting a variety of high achievements. We qualified by having two bands get a superior rating, both bands sight reading, and having strong participation in the all-district band (27 kids!),” Shelburne Middle Band Director Charlie Nesmith said.

The Shelburne Choir was honored to be invited to perform with the JMU Combined University Choirs in February. The concert, themed “The Sound of Us,” showcased a diverse selection of music from various languages and cultures, including the premiere of “I Shall Not Live in Vain” by Colin Cossi.

“These achievements by our middle and high school music programs reflect the dedication of our students, the guidance of our exceptional music educators, and a supportive community of parents and partners,” said Stephanie Haskins, Staunton Schools Assistant Superintendent of Instruction. “Music education is an equally valuable part of the educational experience in Staunton City Schools, and we are fortunate to have passionate and skilled music educators who have built a thriving music program. We are so proud of our students and staff for all their hard work and success.”