LCC Family - Chorale

2010-2011 Chorale

The 2010 Encore -

a small group from the Chorale

Membership in The Chorale, the mixed choir of men and women, which is directed by Kelli Falls, is open to soprano, alto, tenor and bass voices with previous singing experience (high school choir and church choir counts!). This dynamic choir sings music from all genres and in many languages. Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings, 7:30 - 9:30pm in the Brighton High School choir room. The Encore the select sub-group of the Chorale meets every Tuesday from 6:30-7:15pm. Men and women interested in singing with the Chorale can contact Kelli Falls at fallsk@comcast.net to set up an audition. Auditions will include singing warm-ups and rounds. You won't want to miss your opportunity to be a member of a wonderful group of talented musicians.

Kelli Falls has been teaching vocal music for fifteen and a half years. Kelli spent six years in the Coldwater school district and currently teaches in Howell, Michigan, at Three Fires Middle School. Her choirs consistently receive Superior and Excellent ratings at District Festivals and have also performed at the State Choral Festival. Kelli has performed the roles of director, music director and choreographer for twelve full-scale musicals at the middle school level. She has been active on the State Boards for both MSVMA and ACDA. Currently she serves as the Junior High/Middle School required repertoire chair for MSVMA. She conducts the select middle school SSAA choir at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp every summer during Session IV. She traveled two summers (to Europe) with the BLFAC International Choir. Kelli has served as the Honors Choir Director for District Honors Choirs, has worked as a clinician in several schools and is a student teacher mentor. She is an active judge for festivals and taught a Junior High/Middle School Vocal Music master’s degree class at Western Michigan University. She has been adjunct staff for Madonna University and the University of Michigan. Kelli directed the Livingston County Chorale Children’s Choir for four years. She has been published four times in the state ACDA publication, Bella Voce. Kelli completed her bachelor’s degree in vocal music education from Western Michigan University and her master’s degree from Michigan State University in Choral Conducting. Kelli was the featured soprano soloist with the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp Festival Band in the summer of 2006, the performance aired live around the world and she is an active soprano soloist around the area. In addition she has performed professionally three years for the Tibbits Opera House Summer Theater. Kelli previously has been a member of and performed as a soloist for the Hillsdale Arts Chorale for six years and the Ann Arbor Cantata Singers for three years. Michigan School Vocal Music Association elected Kelli to serve as the 2006 SA State Honors Choir Director. Kelli is excited to be working with a wonderful group of musicians in the Chorale! Kelli is very thankful for her supportive family and friends.

George Cullinan is a collaborative pianist with extensive experience in choral and vocal repertoire. As a choral accompanist he has worked with groups such as the Charleston (S.C.) Symphony Chorus, the Summit (N.J.) Chorale, and Eastern Michigan University Choirs. As a vocal collaborator he has served as a staff accompanist for Westminster Choir College, including the prestigious summer conducting seminar and the CoOperative Institute. Most recently he has accompanied the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp high school choir (Session II) and the Detroit Children's Choir. He earned a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from Susquehanna University, and a Master of Music in pedagogy and performance from Oklahoma State University.

Saturday

Nov172012

Assistant Director

Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 9:48AM

Frank A. Watkins, a native of Omaha Nebraska, has taught secondary choral music in the state of Texas for six years. Prior to joining the Tyler Independent School District in 2003 as Director of Choral Activities at John Tyler High School, he taught undergraduate classes in piano at the University of Arkansas. He received a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from Jackson State University in 1997, a Masters of Music degree in piano performance from University of Arkansas in 2001, and a Master of Music degree in choral conducting from Northwestern University in 2011.

During his tenure as a graduate student at Northwestern University, Watkins served as the graduate assistant for choral programs; conducting the Women’s Glee Club, University Chorus, and University Singers. In addition to his responsibilities at Northwestern University, Watkins also served as the Interim Director of the Community Renewal Chorus of Chicago during their 2010-2011 concert season, the Music Intern at Winnetka Congregational church, the music director of the Northwestern Community Ensemble, and as music director of the North Shore Community Ensemble of Evanston. In 2011, Watkins was selected as the guest conductor for the Northwestern University Movie Music Concert; an outreach concert of orchestral film scores that brings at-risk youth in the community to Northwestern University to encourage them to become involved in local music programs.

Currently, Watkins is a Doctoral student in Choral Conducting at Michigan State University, where he studies with Dr. David Rayl, Dr. Sandra Snow, and Dr. Jonathan Reed. Watkins is the assistant conductor of the Men’s Glee Club, as well as the teaching assistant for undergraduate choral conducting. In addition to his duties as a doctoral student, Watkins is also the Conductor of the Ingham County Festival Chorale.

Mr. Watkins is a member of Music Educators National Conference, Texas Music Educators Association, American Choral Directors Association, Texas Choral Directors Association, Conductor’s Guild, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Mr. Watkins’ love is music, and his passion is teaching. He seeks to inspire everyone that he comes in contact with, with his love of music. It is his belief that every student has the potential to excel to greatness. Watkins believes that in order to educate, you must first inspire. It is his goal to make an impact…not just an impression on the lives of those that follow his baton.