Welcome to the HMS Choral Program!
Also on this page: "mr. Z" welcomes you | High School Choir info | About our new website
The Herndon Middle School Choral Program has a long tradition of excellence and strives to provide a solid choral foundation to all students who may wish to further their study of choral music in the program at the high school level and beyond. The performing arts are highly valued throughout the Fairfax County Public Schools, and we are lucky at Herndon Middle School to have fantastic support from our county supervisors, our community and our school administration.
The Choral Program at HMS is structured to allow both experienced and beginning choral students to grow musically, vocally and artistically, to give them opportunities to perform, listen, create and critique, and to prepare students for the high quality choral program at Herndon High School. Students will have the opportunity to rehearse and perform in an all-female or all-male choir as well as a combined, mixed choir. There are also additional opportunities including workshops, adjudicated festivals and select regional and state choral groups.
Thank you for taking the time to view our website. Please check back frequently for updates and new features…
Welcome Message from "mr. Z"
Welcome to all our new and returning students and their families. I am very excited to be joining the Herndon Middle School community and I look forward to an exciting and challenging year full of great opportunities for musical growth, learning and fun!
This is my first year as Director of Choral Music for Herndon Middle School, but I am not new to Fairfax County Public Schools or to the Herndon Pyramid, having directed the choir at Clearview Elementary for the past 2 years and taught General Music at both Clearview and Armstrong Elementary since 2005. I am excited to be here at HMS as a part of the connection between our fine elementary music programs and the superior Herndon High School Music Department.
I encourage all choral students to take the opportunity to work diligently and consistently to make the most of their choral experiences here at HMS and rise to their full potential. Students will be encouraged at every turn and extra help and advice will be given to all those who seek it. It is my hope that our choral students will take full advantage of the chance to participate in a discipline which may lead to years of rewarding experiences. Plus…it’s FUN!
Have an excellent start to the new school year and I’ll see you in choir…
– mr. Z
You Are Connected to Herndon High School Choir
Most (hopefully all) HMS Choir students will continue their choral studies at Herndon High School. Under the direction of Dana Van Slyke, Herndon Choir offers a wealth of choral experiences through its six ensembles, musical productions, and many other performance opportunities.
Choir is a great activity for students to help smooth their transition into high school. During this school year, middle school students will perform with the high school choral ensembles at three concerts. In addition to the chance to be on stage with the more experienced singers, middle school singers can learn about the program, start planning their course selections, and make friends.
Visit the Herndon Choir website at www.HerndonChoir.com.
Join the Herndon Choral Boosters
The Herndon Choral Boosters is an active volunteer organization that supports all of the behind-the-scenes efforts needed to produce the Herndon Choir concerts, fundraisers, and other events. Herndon Middle School choral students and families are invited and encouraged to join the Boosters in their efforts.
Financial contributions are not a requirement for membership. When you join, you'll be asked to provide your e-mail and other contact information so that they can let you know about upcoming concerts, activities, and ways you can get involved.
Leadership, talent, and elbow grease ensure the continued excellence of the choral programs at both schools. Visit the Herndon Choral Boosters web page for more information.
Check Out the New HMS Choir Website!
Here's what you'll find on www.HMSChoir.com:
| HOME | Important dates and announcements, our calendar of required concerts and events, HMS Choir news, and links to everything! |
| COURSES | Description of choir courses offered at Herndon Middle School. |
| CALENDAR | Print and post! This is the complete choir event calendar for the school year. Required concerts and events are highlighted in RED. |
| REHEARSALS | Classroom policies and procedures, and requirements for after-school rehearsals. |
| GRADING | The grading policy, including definitions of excused and unexcused absences. |
| CONCERT DRESS | A description of the required performance attire. |
| ACTIVITY FEE | Amount, due date, and what it covers. |
| VOLUNTEER | Volunteer information for parents. |
Also included are links to the site's privacy policy, concert CD orders, the Herndon Middle School website, as well as the Herndon High School Choir website and other organizations of interest.
We hope to add new features to the site throughout the year. We would especially like your photographs. Please submit photos via the Herndon Choir website (click here to go to online submission form).
