Woodlands student sings in national high school honor choir

Marissa Howe, a junior at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart, was one of 42 altos chosen nationwide to perform in the Sr. High Mixed Division Honor Choir as part of the recent American Choral Directors Association 2015 National Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. Of the 3,300 U.S. high school students who auditioned for this choir, only 334 (eight of them from Illinois) were selected.

Along with her fellow honor choir members, Howe had the memorable musical experience of joining with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in singing renditions of “Amazing Grace” and “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” during a Feb. 28 performance in a 25,000-seat auditorium. While Howe treasures this experience, the most exciting performance for her was her choir’s earlier concert in the magnificent setting of the Salt Lake Tabernacle.

The Sr. High Mixed Division Honor Choir was led by Dr. Andre Thomas, director of choral activities and professor of choral music education at Florida State University. In addition to extensive international conducting credits, Thomas also has distinguished himself as a composer.

“It was such an amazing experience working with and learning from Dr.Thomas — especially rehearsing and performing the work he was commissioned by ACDA to compose for this event, ‘Gloria (Glory to God),’” Howe said.

The select group of high school singers she was part of practiced eight hours a day for three days to prepare for their ACDA performances. A highlight of this rigorous schedule for Howe was the presence of two of the musical composers during rehearsals.

“It was moving to hear one of them tell us that our rendition of his piece brought tears to his the eyes,” Howe said.

While she’s loved singing since she was in the third grade, Howe — unlike so many of her fellow Sr. High Mixed Division Honor Choir members — does not plan on pursuing it professionally.

“When it comes to singing, I’m a hobbyist,” said Howe whose career interest is journalism.

“Being selected as a member of the National Honor Choir is a prestigious achievement and no easy task,” Elizabeth Kurowski, Woodlands Academy coordinator of music ministry, said. “Marissa is a dedicated and committed young lady when it comes to her music. I am so pleased that this fine young vocalist was recognized and chosen to participate, and we at Woodlands are so proud to have Marissa represent our school and choral program at this national venue.”

Howe is a member of four Woodlands Academy choirs this year – Kaleidoscope, Microscope, Music Ministers and the curriculum Performing Arts Choir.

ACDA is a nonprofit music education organization dedicated to the advancement of choral music. Its members teach choral music in public and private elementary and secondary schools across the United States as well as at the college and university levels. The mission of ACDA is to inspire excellence in choral music through education, performance, composition and advocacy.