Choral Music

Darlington’s choral program provides students with the opportunity to perform a variety of styles of choral music in several different performing ensembles. In each ensemble, students work to improve their musicianship abilities, vocal technique, ensemble singing skills and musical literacy. In doing so, they gain confidence as artists through valuable performing experiences, as well as through critical thinking and evaluation of their performances.

In addition to performing opportunities on and off campus with Darlington’s choral ensembles, members of these groups participate in Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) district and state-level activities and Georgia Independent Schools Association (GISA) choral events.

For more about the specific choral offerings at each of Darlington’s three divisions, please read below.

Lower School

At Darlington, choral music and vocal instruction begin in Pre K. Students are encouraged to sing solos and in groups from their very first music class. At each level, they develop more independence and confidence and are ready for a true choral experience in the third grade.

The Darlington Singers: Students in grades 3 and 4 participate in the Lower School choral ensemble, The Darlington Singers. This group meets once a week and performs at various school and community events during the year.

Middle School

Middle School students can choose to take Chorus during their enrichment period. Those who do so have many opportunities to perform both on and off campus throughout the year. Each spring, Middle School choral students compete in a regional festival. Over the past nine years, they have received superior ratings at numerous festivals in Orlando, including Festival Disney.

5th and 6th Grade Chorus: This ensemble meets each day for 45 minutes and works to develop skills in sight reading and musicianship. Students learn to sing in two parts using a variety of different styles of music.

7th and 8th Grade Chorus: This ensemble meets four times a week for 40 minutes and continues study in music theory, sight reading and musicianship. Students learn to sing in three and four parts, and work to develop skills in vocal technique.

Upper School

Ladies’ and Men’s Chorales: Both the Ladies’ and Men’s Chorales are open to all students who enjoy singing and would like to improve their vocal skills. These ensembles each rehearse daily and perform three concerts a year, in addition to participating in a choral festival during the spring trimester. Both groups have received numerous choral awards at the Southern Star Music Festival, the All-Star Music Festival and Festival Disney. Students are strongly encouraged to enroll in one of the Chorales before auditioning for the Concert Choir.

Concert Choir: The Concert Choir is a select ensemble designed for the experienced and motivated choral singer. The choir, which meets daily, performs several major concerts throughout the year and represents Darlington at numerous civic and school-related events, including a choir tour during the spring trimester. The group performs a wide variety of choral pieces, including major works such as Pinkham’s “Christmas Cantata” and Faure’s “Requiem,” and it has also served as the ensemble for many of the school’s winter musical productions such as “Les Misérables” and “The Music Man.” The ensemble has received numerous top awards at the All-Star Music Festival, Festival Disney and invitation-only events such as Disney Honors. Membership in the ensemble is by audition only, and is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors. Members are also eligible to audition for The Darlingtones and The Random Notes.

The Darlingtones and The Random Notes: These are small vocal ensembles for ladies and men, respectively, that offer advanced students the opportunity to sing in an ensemble setting while performing literature written especially for the a cappella-type performing group. Both groups are auditioned from within Concert Choir, and represent Darlington in a variety of events and venues both on and off campus. Each year in February, these groups sell sing-o-gram valentines to raise money for a special service project.