CHOIR
New choir director prepares to hit the high notes
By Rebecca Herren
Seaside Signal
Kimber Parker is beginning her first year as the
choir director at Seaside High School and Broad-
way Middle School, and says she is thrilled to be in
this community and part of this team of educators.
Her goals for choir are simple: Continue their
strong tradition of musical excellence and grow
in their understanding of sight-reading and vocal
technique, as well as reflect on the affective aspects
of music. In addition, plans include three concerts,
at least two competitive festivals, a District Honor
Choir and guest clinicians. The concerts will be
held on Nov. 16, March 7 and May 30.
Concerts for Broadway Middle School will be
held Nov. 20, March 6 and May 30.
There will be a winter musical in February
and March, directed by English teacher LeeAnn
Schmelzenbach. And though the musical has been
chosen, the title is being kept under wraps.
The high school has 39 singers in its Chamber
Choir and is open to students from all four-grade
levels. Auditions and selections for Jazz Choir will
be held during September. In addition to the choirs,
Parker is teaching Garage Band at the high school.
This, she said, is a popular music class where stu-
dents collaborate in bands to create, perform and re-
cord music. “I’m excited to watch these musicians
exercise their creativity as the term continues.”
This year’s music represents various cultures, eras,
languages and themes. “My aim is to choose pieces
that are rich in teachable concepts and allow students
to transfer those concepts to other pieces later on. The
pieces we sing are engaging, challenging and really
fun,” Parker said. “Our choir is excited and prepared
to continue making excellent choral music for our
families, our school and our community to enjoy.”
Parker looks forward to watching the seniors
take on leadership roles noting there are excellent
musicians in all grades. “We have natural and tal-
ented leaders here who sing with both skill and
passion.” She added that she hopes her students
become independent and collaborative musicians
who develop a lifelong love for music making.
Parker did her undergraduate and graduate
work at Oregon State University. She taught pri-
vate voice lessons and directed more than a dozen
choirs, including collegiate level, 4A, 5A, middle
school and community choirs.
REBECCA HERREN/SEASIDE SIGNAL
Kimber Parker, choir director at Seaside High School and Broadway Middle School,
works on vocal technique with choir students at the high school.
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Seaside Signal/Cannon Beach Gazette • 3