Choirs
The Impact of Music Education on Children is Profound
Music does more than just make sounds, it changes the way we think and act. The skills your child will learn in music will help them be successful on the stage, in the classroom, and for the rest of their lives.
- Clarkston Choirs Booster Organization
- Sashabaw Middle School Choirs
- Clarkston Junior High School Choirs
- Clarkston High School Choirs
Clarkston Choirs Booster Organization
BOOSTED BY PARENT SUPPORT
Clarkston fine and performing arts programs have an excellent reputation for producing outstanding young musicians and we owe much of that success to the support of our students' families.
The Clarkston Choirs Booster Organization (CCBO) was created to support and promote all Clarkston choirs. All Clarkston residents are welcome to attend CCBO meetings, which are held each month (usually on the second Thursday) from August through May.
Sashabaw Middle School Choirs
Sixth and Seventh Grade Choirs
These courses are designed to teach students the fundamentals of music performance. Beginning in 6th grade and continuing through 7th grade, skills introduced include vocal technique, music literacy, and an introduction to stylistic interpretation. Students learn the fundamentals needed to make informed musical decisions. Students will perform in concerts throughout the year including one adjudicated Band/Choir/Orchestra festival performance in 7th grade. Students can also choose to participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival through the Michigan Schools Vocal Music Association.
Essential Skills:
Sashabaw Middle School students will focus on reading musical notation including pitch and rhythm. Skills introduced at this level include:
- posture
- pitch
- rhythm
- technical fluency
- tone
- breathing and breath control
- vowel shape
- diction
- intonation
- style
- interpretation
- sight-reading technique
- personal and ensemble presentation
- basic foreign language
Additionally, students will develop leadership abilities and interpersonal skills, working independently and in collaborative ensembles.
Uniform Information
Uniformity is extremely important for performances. When members of an ensemble are dressed alike, the ensemble appears as one unit and those in the audience are more apt to hear the entire group rather than focusing on individual students. If a family is unable to provide any part of the SMS Concert uniform, please contact your director by the end of September.
6th Grade Uniform: Students are to wear black shoes, black dress slacks or a skirt of appropriate length, black socks, black tights or hose, and your Clarkston Choirs t-shirt.
7th Grade Uniform: Students are to wear all black shoes, black dress slacks or a skirt (knee length or longer), black socks, black tights or hose, and your Clarkston Choirs t-shirt.
Meet the Director
Michael Peterson
Michael Peterson has been teaching choral music for 25 years. His first three years were in Reese Public Schools as a general music teacher grades first through sixth grade and choral director of the Middle and High School Choirs. He has spent 15 years at Clarkston Community Schools directing the High School, Junior High, and Middle School Choirs overseeing 5 daily choir’s, and the music director of the annual musicals. He also spent 6 years as Director of Choirs at Walled Lake Northern High School. While there he directed 4 daily choir’s, and was the producer and music director of the annual musical. Musicals he has been the music director include: Annie Get Your Gun, Anything Goes, Bye Bye Birdie, Camelot, Carousel, Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang, Damn Yankees, Guys and Dolls, Jekyll and Hyde, Les Miserables, Oklahoma, Once Upon A Mattress, Sound of Music, South Pacific, Tarzan, 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee, Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins and this year Hairspray. While at Clarkston his choirs have performed in New York City, Chicago, St. Louis, and internationally at the Tuscany Choral Festival held in Montecatini Terme, Italy. He is the MSVMA District IV manager. Michael received his Bachelor of Music Education with a conducting emphasis, studying with Dr. Nina Nash-Robertson at Central Michigan University. He then returned there later to get his Masters of Music in Voice Performance, studying with Mr. Timothy Caldwell. He is an inaugural member of M.E.M.E. (Michigan educators Male Ensemble) that promotes male singing in schools. He has been married for 25 years to Kate Peterson and has 2 daughters, Grace and Madeline, both graduates of Clarkston High School.
Natalie Pagel
Ms. Pagel is in her 14th year teaching and her 8th year with Clarkston Schools. She began her teaching career teaching band, choir, and orchestra with Berkley Schools' middle and high school programs. Ms. Pagel has taught a variety of ages and music classes, ranging from Young 5's general music through College wind ensemble. She holds a Master of Arts in Conducting from Oakland University, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education as well as a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from Central Michigan University.
As a flutist, since age 10 Ms. Pagel studied extensively with Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Sharon Sparrow, Jeff Zook, and Joanna White from the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra. She has sat on the substitute musician list for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and continues to perform locally.
At home, she enjoys being with her 6 year old daughter baking, hiking and traveling, as well as spending time with her dog and horses.
Clarkston Junior High School Choirs
Eighth and Ninth Grade Choirs
These courses are designed to build upon the fundamentals of music performance. Skills learned at a younger age are improved, including vocal technique, music literacy, and stylistic interpretation. Students continue to refine the fundamentals needed to make informed musical decisions. Students will perform in concerts throughout the year including one adjudicated Band/Choir/Orchestra festival performance. Students can also choose to participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival through the Michigan Schools Vocal Music Association.
Essential Skills:
Clarkston Junior High School students will continue to focus on reading progressively more challenging musical notation and will expand their vocal range. Skills cultivated at this level include
- refined pitch discrimination
- rhythm
- technical fluency
- tone
- breathing and breath control
- vowel shape
- diction
- intonation
- style
- interpretation
- sight-reading technique
- personal and ensemble presentation
- foreign language
Additionally, students will continue to develop leadership abilities and interpersonal skills, working independently and in collaborative ensembles.
Meet the Director
Michael Peterson
Michael Peterson has been teaching choral music for 25 years. His first three years were in Reese Public Schools as a general music teacher grades first through sixth grade and choral director of the Middle and High School Choirs. He has spent 15 years at Clarkston Community Schools directing the High School, Junior High, and Middle School Choirs overseeing 5 daily choir’s, and the music director of the annual musicals. He also spent 6 years as Director of Choirs at Walled Lake Northern High School. While there he directed 4 daily choir’s, and was the producer and music director of the annual musical. Musicals he has been the music director include: Annie Get Your Gun, Anything Goes, Bye Bye Birdie, Camelot, Carousel, Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang, Damn Yankees, Guys and Dolls, Jekyll and Hyde, Les Miserables, Oklahoma, Once Upon A Mattress, Sound of Music, South Pacific, Tarzan, 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee, Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins and this year Hairspray. While at Clarkston his choirs have performed in New York City, Chicago, St. Louis, and internationally at the Tuscany Choral Festival held in Montecatini Terme, Italy. He is the MSVMA District IV manager. Michael received his Bachelor of Music Education with a conducting emphasis, studying with Dr. Nina Nash-Robertson at Central Michigan University. He then returned there later to get his Masters of Music in Voice Performance, studying with Mr. Timothy Caldwell. He is an inaugural member of M.E.M.E. (Michigan educators Male Ensemble) that promotes male singing in schools. He has been married for 25 years to Kate Peterson and has 2 daughters, Grace and Madeline, both graduates of Clarkston High School.
Clarkston High School Choirs
Concert Choir & Madrigals
These courses are designed to build upon the fundamentals of music performance. Skills learned at a younger age are improved, including vocal technique, music literacy, and stylistic interpretation. Students continue to refine the fundamentals needed to make informed musical decisions. Students will perform in concerts throughout the year including one adjudicated Band/Choir/Orchestra festival performance. Students can also choose to participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival through the Michigan Schools Vocal Music Association.
Essential Skills:
Clarkston High School students will continue to focus on reading progressively more challenging musical notation and will expand the ranges of their voice. Skills cultivated at this level include
- refined pitch discrimination
- rhythm
- technical fluency
- tone
- breathing and breath control
- vowel shape
- diction
- intonation
- style
- interpretation
- sight-reading technique
- personal and ensemble presentation
- foreign language
Additionally, students will continue to develop leadership abilities and interpersonal skills, working independently and in collaborative ensembles.
Meet the Director
Michael Peterson
Michael Peterson has been teaching choral music for 25 years. His first three years were in Reese Public Schools as a general music teacher grades first through sixth grade and choral director of the Middle and High School Choirs. He has spent 15 years at Clarkston Community Schools directing the High School, Junior High, and Middle School Choirs overseeing 5 daily choir’s, and the music director of the annual musicals. He also spent 6 years as Director of Choirs at Walled Lake Northern High School. While there he directed 4 daily choir’s, and was the producer and music director of the annual musical. Musicals he has been the music director include: Annie Get Your Gun, Anything Goes, Bye Bye Birdie, Camelot, Carousel, Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang, Damn Yankees, Guys and Dolls, Jekyll and Hyde, Les Miserables, Oklahoma, Once Upon A Mattress, Sound of Music, South Pacific, Tarzan, 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee, Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins and this year Hairspray. While at Clarkston his choirs have performed in New York City, Chicago, St. Louis, and internationally at the Tuscany Choral Festival held in Montecatini Terme, Italy. He is the MSVMA District IV manager. Michael received his Bachelor of Music Education with a conducting emphasis, studying with Dr. Nina Nash-Robertson at Central Michigan University. He then returned there later to get his Masters of Music in Voice Performance, studying with Mr. Timothy Caldwell. He is an inaugural member of M.E.M.E. (Michigan educators Male Ensemble) that promotes male singing in schools. He has been married for 25 years to Kate Peterson and has 2 daughters, Grace and Madeline, both graduates of Clarkston High School.