Choir

The Northwest Christian High School Choir Program is under the direction of Melissa McGuire who is in her 7th year of teaching choir at Northwest Christian School.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education degree from Arizona State University, and is currently working on her Master's in Choral Conducting through Messiah University in Pennsylvania.  Mrs. McGuire previously taught choir at Central High School in Phoenix, and Village Christian in Sun Valley, CA.  She has served as the music director for NCS Theatre productions of Cinderella, The Sound of Music, and the stage and music director for High School Musical.  She currently teaches our high school choirs, middle school worship arts, leads our high school praise band, and serves as the NCS Fine Arts Director.  Mrs. McGuire loves bringing the joy of music to her students!  She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Chris for 22 years, and they have three children who are NCS alumni and current students.  She and her husband have devoted the last 25+ years to sharing Christ with teenagers through the mission of Young Life

The Northwest Christian Middle School Choir Program is under the direction of Nathan Krell.

This group will perform a variety of choral literature from various periods and styles of music.  Audition is necessary. Musical skills to be developed include sight-reading, tone and voice building, part balance, articulation and enunciation, breathing, languages, and other musical concepts.  They will be expected to perform in the four NCS concerts throughout the year and any additional performances that are scheduled.

Middle School Choir is open to all 6th-8th grades students with an interest in choral performance.  This is a non-audition choir and no choral experience is necessary.  Students will be given an overview of various musical styles and will learn to follow musical scores, match pitch, perform basic choral warm-ups, identify musical symbols in various compositions, perform beginning sight-reading exercises and perform in four concerts throughout the year.  Each spring the choir is invited to participate in a choral music festival in southern CA. 

Advanced Choir is open to all 7th-8th grades students with an interest in choral performance.  Enrollment in this class is by audition, and prior choral experience is helpful but not necessary.  Auditions are held in May of the previous year.  Students will be given an overview of various musical styles and will learn to follow musical scores, match pitch, perform basic choral warm-ups, identify musical symbols in various compositions, sight-read basic melodies, and perform in four concerts throughout the year.  Each spring the advanced choir is invited to participate in a choral music festival in southern CA.   

Middle School Worship Arts is open by audition to all 6th-8th grade students. Students will focus on personal spiritual growth and musical proficiency and artistry, as they explore ways to lead and engage others in contemporary worship. Students will gain knowledge in the fundamentals of music theory for contemporary worship, and may receive basic training in piano, voice, guitar, and percussion. Students will select and audition on a primary instrument in May for participation in the class for the following school year. Primary instruments may include piano, voice, guitar (acoustic, electric, bass), and percussion. Other instruments may be used upon instructor approval. Worship teams will be formed within the class and teams may lead worship for chapel several times throughout the year. Students may also lead worship at the middle school choir concerts in October, December, and May.