Staunton: Rising Voices choir to make its debut at Sunday concert at SHS

Staunton City Schools will present a concert featuring its new division-wide concert choir for fifth- and sixth-graders, Rising Voices on Sunday at 4 p.m. at John Lewis Auditorium at Staunton High School.

Also performing at the show will be the Shelburne Middle School seventh- and eighth-grade choirs and the three choral ensembles from Staunton High School.

“What we have is really a multi-layered learning experience at every level of this ensemble. Our fifth- and sixth-graders are learning not just from their teachers, but also from high school and college volunteers,” said Hannah Greer-Young, who is a director for Shelburne’s band and choir and assistant marching band director for the Staunton High School marching band.

The Rising Voices group has more than 50 elementary-school students from Bessie Weller, A.R. Ware and McSwain participating this semester.

The group meets after school, because students do not have choir as part of their school-day schedule.

“Staunton Rising Voices has proven to be a much-needed musical outlet for our fifth- and sixth-graders,” said Lillie Harner, the choir director at Staunton High School. “It is amazing to see how many of them are enthusiastic about singing, and I am excited to watch their musical growth as they hopefully continue to sing in middle and high school.”