Choral Music

Jackson Academy provides Middle School and Upper School students with a medium of musical expression in our award-winning show choirs.

A Dynamic Art

All students are introduced to sight singing, beginning elements of music theory, techniques for vocal performance, and principles of teamwork necessary for a successful ensemble. Lower School students participate in musical productions throughout their elementary years.

Middle and Upper School students are invited to audition for Jackson Academy’s award-winning show choirs, Encore in Upper School and Showtime in Middle School. These students are also eligible to participate in the annual musical production.

Throughout the year, Jackson Academy show choirs provide students with a variety of musical performance opportunities. These include concerts and competitions across Mississippi and the Southeast region. At the high school level, show choir members compete at a national competition.

Choral Music Curriculum

The Choral Music program at Jackson Academy is designed to give students opportunities for personal growth as well as satisfaction from interacting with fellow students and fine arts professionals from other regions. Curriculum objectives for Jackson Academy students include the following:

• Creativity and self-expression through participation as a performer and consumer of music
• Opportunity to develop technical proficiency using the basic elements of music
• A comprehensive music program that establishes a solid and permanent relationship with music
• Fun and inspiration through music and interaction with peers

Encore

Encore is Jackson Academy’s Upper School, audition-only show choir for students in grades nine through twelve. In this year-long class, students learn the proper techniques of singing, choreography, and performance, as well as sight singing and the basic elements of music theory.

Encore students participate in a variety of performance events throughout the school year while preparing for the show choir competition season, which takes place from January to March. Students help to host the annual Jackson Academy Showchoir Invitational, JASI, in February. Many Encore performers can be found in the annual Fall Musical, and the entire group participates in Christmas with the Arts, a school-wide celebration of the Christmas season and the performing arts at Jackson Academy. Encore caps off the school year with Spring Spectacular. This fantastic variety performance includes the competition show choir show, senior features, and special group performances.

Encore works with nationally known choreographers and arrangers to produce their competition show each year. This show is presented in competitions all over the Southeast and nationally. The show choir competition show features custom costumes and sets, as well as the opportunity to perform with a live band of musicians.  A student-based tech crew, along with parent volunteers, help the show run smoothly.

Auditions for Encore are held in late spring.  Students participate in a choreography clinic and prepare a solo for their auditions.

Showtime

Showtime is JA’s award-winning Middle School show choir. Students in grades six through eight may audition for this outstanding performance group. Over the year-long class, Showtime members learn the proper techniques of singing, choreography, performance, as well as sight singing and the basic elements of music theory.

Showtime students primarily prepare for the show choir competition season. They also help host the annual Jackson Academy Showchoir Invitational, JASI, in February. The group participates in Christmas with the Arts, a school-wide celebration of the Christmas season and the performing arts at Jackson Academy. Showtime caps off the school year with Spring Spectacular. This fantastic variety performance includes the competition show choir show, senior features, and special group performances.

Working with nationally known choreographers and arrangers to produce their competition show, Showtime competes regionally from January until March each year.  The show choir competition show features custom costumes and sets. Showtime performs with a live band of musicians. A student-based tech crew, along with parent volunteers, help the show run smoothly.

Auditions for Showtime are held in late spring. Students must participate in a choreography clinic and prepare a solo for their auditions.