About our program
Our Goals
The THS Concert and Chamber Choirs - have three overarching goals which guide our daily work:
1. To learn to sing better by improving our vocal and ensemble techniques.
2. To improve our music literacy, both in terms of reading notation and the cultural and historical contexts for the music we sing.
3. To experience the power of music - every day!
The Choirs sing a wide variety of music from Western and non-Western sources in order to educate students in a full spectrum of musical styles and techniques. From Renaissance to contemporary choral music, from Europe to Africa to the Middle East, the repertoire presents a kaleidoscopic view of the richly diverse world of choral music.
The THS Concert and Chamber Choirs - have three overarching goals which guide our daily work:
1. To learn to sing better by improving our vocal and ensemble techniques.
2. To improve our music literacy, both in terms of reading notation and the cultural and historical contexts for the music we sing.
3. To experience the power of music - every day!
The Choirs sing a wide variety of music from Western and non-Western sources in order to educate students in a full spectrum of musical styles and techniques. From Renaissance to contemporary choral music, from Europe to Africa to the Middle East, the repertoire presents a kaleidoscopic view of the richly diverse world of choral music.
About the Director
Laurie Ellington MMEd, has recently joined the THS faculty as Director of Choirs.
Prior to coming to THS, she was Choral Director at The Hotchkiss School, directing the Hotchkiss Chorus and the boys' a cappella group, the Blue Notes, for seven years. Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked as a professional singer in Boston, New York and Germany for over 20 years. Her repertoire includes jazz, pop, soul and classical, and she performed with ensembles large a small all over Europe. Her a cappella group, Harmony Central, toured extensively and was sponsored by Sennheiser Microphones.
Ms. Ellington believes strongly in the power of vocal music to enhance students' lives and welcomes singers of all experience levels.
Prior to coming to THS, she was Choral Director at The Hotchkiss School, directing the Hotchkiss Chorus and the boys' a cappella group, the Blue Notes, for seven years. Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked as a professional singer in Boston, New York and Germany for over 20 years. Her repertoire includes jazz, pop, soul and classical, and she performed with ensembles large a small all over Europe. Her a cappella group, Harmony Central, toured extensively and was sponsored by Sennheiser Microphones.
Ms. Ellington believes strongly in the power of vocal music to enhance students' lives and welcomes singers of all experience levels.
My Philosophy of Music Education
I believe that music is a critical part of a basic education, for the following reasons:
I believe that a broad choral curriculum is one avenue by which students may explore music deeply.
I believe that all students can be taught to sing. I will gladly accept anyone willing to sing, to learn and to work into my choir. What skills they lack, I will find a way to teach them. Students will leave my choir better musicians.
- Music is a unique domain of meaning, of understanding and of expression. It shares commonalities with many other disciplines, yet stands by itself.
- Music is one of the things that makes us human. No other species makes music solely for expressive purposes.
- In Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences, musical intelligence is one of the basic human intelligences.
- Music brings pleasure and enjoyment throughout one's entire lifespan, whether one makes music or listens to it. One can enjoy music as long as there is breath in their body.
- Music can unify body, mind and spirit. The act of making music engages all three: the body to create the sounds, whether by voice or instrument, the mind which creates the ideas and/or interprets the music and text, and the spirit which imbues the music with emotional content. Often these moments of unification become "flow" moments, or moments of transcendent bliss.
- Music engenders cultural understanding. Often, by understanding and appreciating another culture's music, one begins to understand and appreciate the culture. Music is a great builder of bridges, which is important in our ever-shrinking global community.
- Music promotes self-development, self-esteem and enjoyment. By engaging in music, students develop skills and intellectual abilities, which in turn helps develop self-esteem. When understanding and confidence meet, an activity becomes enjoyable. And who couldn't use a little more enjoyment in life?
I believe that a broad choral curriculum is one avenue by which students may explore music deeply.
I believe that all students can be taught to sing. I will gladly accept anyone willing to sing, to learn and to work into my choir. What skills they lack, I will find a way to teach them. Students will leave my choir better musicians.