Mission of the Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts Chorus Program

The Rainey-McCullers choral program is specifically geared toward helping choral majors and other Rainey-McCullers students develop a skill set that allows them to be independent and empowered musicians. This lets them participate in and enjoy choral singing at a wide variety of levels for the rest of their lives. Through choral singing we discover both the value of the individual and the group. As choir is a “team sport” it is necessary for everyone to do their part to contribute. We currently have singers of highly varied skill and experience level and work to help everyone rise to their highest potential as a musician. All choral majors audition for GMEA Choral All-State and participate in Solo & Ensemble and all choir members are encouraged to do the same.

 This program puts high emphasis on comprehensive musical literacy and and developing our young musicians’ ears. We utilize moveable DO solfege with LA-based minor for pitch and the Takadimi system for rhythm. Competency in these areas combined with pitch and rhythm dictation, a foundation in music theory, sound vocal technique, vocal tone flexibility, a focus on tuning, and other fundamental skills puts the student in charge of their musical skill set as they grow and develop. Acquisition of these skills eliminates the “mystery” and “guess-work” around musical development and allows for greater expressivity on the student’s part.

Past collaborations and performances have included projects with the Columbus Community Orchestra, The Army Band, Columbus State University via their Music Under the Dome Series, Middle School Choral Festival at Columbus State University, The Muscogee County Retired Teachers Organization, and FERST Readers of Muscogee County, and St. Thomas Episcopal Church.