AMEA 2006
Clinicians and Performers
Thompson Middle School, located in Alabaster, Alabama, is in the Shelby County School System. Enrollment is 1,325 with 230 students singing in the choral program. The school supports four choirs: the 6th Grade Choir, the 7th Grade Girls Choir, the 8th Grade Girls Choir and the 7/8th Grade Boys Choir. The Thompson Middle School 7/8th Grade Boys Choir is a thirty five member, non auditioned group.
The Boys Choir was established nine
years ago, but was "lost" last year due to scheduling. After much trial, tribulation and tears the Boys Choir was rein-
stated into the schedule this year! Half of the membership is not only new to the choir, but have never sung in a choral music program before. The choral music program at TMS provides the opportunity for young people to learn to read music, music theory, sight singing, and exposure to a variety of choral styles.
John L. Baker, a graduate of
Enterprise High School in Enterprise, Alabama, is in his 21st year as choral director at his high school alma mater. Prior to coming to Enterprise, Mr. Baker was choral director at Americus High School in Americus, Georgia. He holds a Bachelors of Music Education degree from Auburn University and a Masters of Music Education from Troy State University. He is a member of the American Choral Directors Association and the Music Educators National Conference. Mr. Baker is Past President of the Alabama Vocal Association and is President Elect of the Alabama Music Educators Association. Mr. Baker's choirs have performed and competed in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky, in the U. S., and have sung abroad in Austria, Germany, Holland, France, Belgium, Switzerland and Great Britain. Mr. Baker conducts the 110 voice Concert Choir, The Women's Chorale and the Encores Show Choir. The Women's Chorale and Encores have sung for the American Choral Directors Association Southern Division Conventions, The Women's Chorale in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1994 and the Encores in Norfolk, Virginia in 1996. During the summer of 2000, members of the Enterprise High School Choral Department participated in their third European Concert Tour. The choir toured the countries of England, France, and Belgium. In the summer of 2002 the choir toured the California coast and the Hawaiian Islands. This past summer the choir will tour the countries of Germany, Austria and France. Mr. Baker serves as music director at Saint Luke United Methodist Church in Enterprise and is on the staff of Show Choir Camps of America. He and his wife Kim have four sons, Brad, Chris, Mitchell and Robert.
The Florence High School Chamber Choir is an audi- tioned group of 10th-12th grade singers from the Concert Choir, Women's Choir, and Men's Choir. Under the direction of Rebecca Rockhill, this group frequently performs for many community events in the area. They have consistently received superior ratings in dis- trict and state festivals, and perform a wide variety of choral litera- ture and styles.
ala breve - October 2005
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