The Poly Choral Music Department offers many different opportunities for music performance in seven different groups. We have three traditional choral music ensembles, two vocal jazz ensembles, and two contemporary music ensembles. Read more about them below.
Chamber Singers
This is our top traditional vocal ensemble, featuring 24-32 of our most talented and dedicated singers. Chamber meets every morning at 7:40am, and we perform a repertoire focused on traditional choral music. Chamber Singers demonstrate the highest vocal musicianship at Poly High School. Membership is by instructor approval/audition only.
Cecilian Singers
Cecilian Singers is our intermediate-advanced traditional ensemble. This ensemble performs a diverse repertoire, from classical to pop to jazz, and the occassional collaboration with Chamber Singers. Membership is by instructor approval/audition only.
Chorale
Chorale is our beginner-intermediate choral ensemble, which performs a primarily classical repertoire with a focus on fundamentals such as vowel unification, tone, and breath support. Membership is by instructor approval/audition only.
Introduction to Songwriting
This is relatively new course offering for us, as we pilot a new direction in our music program, which focuses on student-created media, songwriting, production, and editing using Digital Audio Workstations, including Soundtrap and Logic. If you’re interested in creating your own music, specifically influenced by hip-hop, R&B, rap, and other styles of urban music, maybe this course is for you!
Grace/Advanced Songwriting and Production
This ensemble both performs AND writes new music, while also working more advanced concepts of music production. These students have taken Intro to Songwriting, and have chosen to continue their education in the areas of songwriting, recording techniques, producing and editing music, and working with DAW software on a deeper level. Twice a year, they also perform as part of our choral music concerts. Instructor approval is required for enrollment.
Vocal Jazz One
Vocal Jazz One is comprised of up to 16 of our most motivated and talented singers, dedicated to studying and performing vocal jazz music. They regularly participate in jazz festivals and competitions, and have performed in Avery Fisher Hall in New York City and at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Amsterdam. Audition is required for membership.
Vocal Jazz Two
Vocal Jazz Two is our second vocal jazz group, also advanced and focused on vocal jazz music and related genres. Like Vocal Jazz One, they perform with individual microphones. As of the 2020-21 school year, VJ2 is a treble-voices only choir. Audition is required for membership.