News & Announcements
July 25, 2013 – Third news feature in the Washington Post upon our return from South Africa
Washington Post columnist, Petula Dvorak, wrote a third article on our Choirs' concert tour to South Africa, upon our return. The article chronicled our journey from the doubtful beginnings to the successful ending.
LINK — The Washington Post — For Prince George's choir, performances and lessons of a lifetime in South Africa
April 8, 2013 – Follow-up Feature in the Washington Post Regarding our South Africa Tour
After several interviews and video recording, spanning two weeks, our choir was finally featured in The Washington Post newspaper, in a wonderful article written by popular Post columnist, Petula Dvorak. 41 of our students reached out to her earlier in the month, hoping that some positivity would be highlighted about the youth enrolled in PGCPS, instead of all of the negativity many have come to expect. The article highlights are trials and tribulations, trying to finance our trip to South Africa.
LINK — The Washington Post — Readers’ donations will send Hyattsville choir to South Africa
After several interviews and video recording, spanning two weeks, our choir was finally featured in The Washington Post newspaper, in a wonderful article written by popular Post columnist, Petula Dvorak. 41 of our students reached out to her earlier in the month, hoping that some positivity would be highlighted about the youth enrolled in PGCPS, instead of all of the negativity many have come to expect. The article highlights are trials and tribulations, trying to finance our trip to South Africa.
LINK — The Washington Post — Heavenly sound won't get Northwestern High's choir all the way to South Africa
The Choir has once again been featured on the Prince George's County Public Schools website, regarding the $5,000 grant we received from the Jane Henson Foundation. Jane Henson is the wife of late puppeteer and Northwestern alumnus, Jim Henson. Jim Henson created the internationally known "Muppets" franchise. Mrs. Henson has been a long time supporter of the visual and performing arts program at Northwestern, and especially our choir. She also aided us with our finances to get to New York City in 2009. This latest grant will go towards the trip costs for our South Africa tour in 2013.
The Choir has been featured on the homepage of the Prince George's County Public Schools website, commending the Choir for being accepted into the Ihlombe South African Choral Festival. The schools superintendent gave his kudos and congratulations to the Choir. The article can be found here at .
Our choir is on their way to South Africa in July 2013! We have been accepted into the prestigious Ihlombe South African Choral Festival, sponsored by Alexandria, Virginia-based, Classical Movements Inc. Essential members of the Northwestern High School Choir and supporting Friends of the Northwestern Choral Society, have been planning for months to submit an official application for this invitation-only choral festival tour. We received word this Thursday, from Mr. Johan van Zyl, coordinator of Ihlombe and Jayci Thomas from Classical Movements, that our choir was accepted. This is tremendous and wonderful news for our organization!
Congratulations to the Northwestern High School Choir for receiving an overall "Superior" rating at this years prestigious 'Festival of Gold' invitational in New York City! This elite concert series is sponsored by Heritage Music Festivals. The Choir has a long-standing relationship with Heritage, dating back to 1999. The Choir was adjudicated by the incomparable, Dr. Anton Amstrong, who is the conductor of the world renowned St. Olaf Choir. Dr. Armstrong was so impressed by the Choirs artistry, that he offered to personally work with the Northwestern Choir during his next visit to the Washington, DC-area
April 17, 2011 - Mt. Horeb Baptist Church Concert a Tremendous Success!
The FNCS would like to extend a much-deserved 'Job well done!' to the Northwestern High School Concert Choir, Advanced Ensemble, Gospel Choir, and Alumni Chorale! The event on Sunday, April 17th, 2011 was a tremendous success! The Choirs were able to reach and exceed our intended fundraising goal, to send the Choir on their way to New York City, in two weeks!
The FNCS would like to extend special Thank You's to: Ms. Leona Lowery, our beloved artistic director of the Northwestern Vocal Music Program; Ms. Donna Thurston, who is the parent of senior Marcus Thurston (Bass), and who is also the FNCS's treasurer. The Thurston's made this entire event possible, as they are currently members of the Mt. Horeb Baptist Church. The FNCS would also like to thank our amazing student soloists, Christian Simmons and Marcus Thurston. Another special set of thank you's to our amazing alumni soloists, Simone Paulwell, Ivory Forte, and Jeremy Anderson. Miss Paulwell did an outstanding feature solo for the spiritual, "Give Me Jesus". The entire church was on their feet after her arousing and stirring piece. Also, our sincerest thank you's to our backing musicians, Jay Carnegie (Keyboard), Jay Glover (Keyboard/Piano), Roderick Holcomb (Percussion), and Gerry Gillespie (Bass). We'd also like to acknowledge our President, Mr. Dammione Meyers, for his speaking on behalf of the FNCS and also the Northwestern Choirs. Thank you to all of the parents and extended family of the students of the Northwestern High School Choirs.
Your continued support is the reason why we have thrived as a vocal music program. And one final thank you to the ministry and congregation of the Mt. Horeb Baptist Church of Washington, DC! You all were very gracious, inviting, and your contributions will help make a tremendous and everlasting impact on the Northwestern Choir Family.
April 2011 – The Northwestern HS Choir Receives Generous Grant from Mrs. Jane Henson
The Northwestern High School Choir would like to give our most sincerest thank you's to Mrs. Jane Henson, wife and widow of the famed puppeteer, Mr. Jim Henson. Jim Henson is notable for being the creator of "The Muppets", "Fraggle Rock", and "Muppet Babies", to name a few, and he's also a 1954 Northwestern graduate. Mrs. Henson was kind enough to grant the Choir a generous donation, in support of the Choirs' effort to participate in the coveted Festival of Gold in New York City, this April. FNCS is profoundly proud and pleased to have received this generous grant from the Henson Family. Jane Henson currently heads the Jim Henson Legacy Foundation, an organization she co-founded alongside family and friends in 1993, in response to the extraordinary interest in the life and work of Jim Henson. The organization is dedicated to preserving and perpetuating Jim Henson's contributions to the worlds of puppetry, television, motion picture, special effects and media technology. The Henson Foundation has been a catalyst behind the Northwestern High School Choir and in 2004, was present at the building dedication of the new Northwestern High School facility to help new the Arts wing of the new school, the Jim Henson School of Arts, Media & Communications. The school is a part of Northwestern's career pathways/academy programs. You can find out much more about the Henson Legacy Foundation by visiting their official website at .
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