The Community Music School is hosting its first Elementary Honor Choir Day on the Southwestern College campus Tuesday, April 11. After a full day of activities, the event will conclude with a free concert at 6 p.m. in Richardson Performing Arts Center. The public is invited to attend. 

Made up of students from the Arkansas City and Winfield school districts, the 60-member choir will feature students in grades three through five who have been selected and identified by their music teachers as gifted in music. The students will spend the day rehearsing in the Richardson Performing Arts Center with Arkansas City music teacher Nikki Kirk. Throughout the day, students will be learning critical rhythmic and vocal technique skills which will enable them to become leaders in their classrooms. Concert selections will include favorites such as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “Let It Shine,” in addition to lesser known works. 

Kirk is a music educator in the Arkansas City public school district where she teaches pre-K through 5th grade general music. She is an active member of NAfME and ACDA. Kirk also serves as the director of music at the First Presbyterian Church of Winfield and the musical director for the Community Music School’s JourneyKids Choir. Kirk is in her ninth year of teaching and has taught general music, band, and choir in the public schools of Kansas. 

“I am honored to work with the students of Cowley County and the surrounding areas for the Elementary Honor Choir Day,” Kirk says. “I hope to provide the students with a memorable day of musical knowledge, excellence, and fun. I look forward to sharing the achievements of our outstanding young musicians with the community during the evening concert.” 

“We look forward to the opportunity for these young exceptional participants to sing with those who have the same interest and musical levels,” says Timothy Shook, department chair of music at Southwestern College. “The music will challenge their skills and give them confidence to pursue the enjoyment of singing.”  
For more information, call the Community Music School at (620) 229-6188.