The Woodlands High School Choir program is a showcase of the talent and dedication of The Woodlands community. The choir program features five different choirs: 9th Grade Treble, 9th Grade Guys, Advanced, A Capella, and Chamber Choir. Under the leadership of Patrick Newcomb, with directors Melissa Newhouse and Kameryn Zetterstrom–who just joined the program this year–the choir has established a reputation of excellence.
The choir holds many traditions, one of them being the annual TWHS Christmas Performance that holds a special place in many people’s hearts. In this showcase, all choirs perform a mixture of classical carols, seasonal holiday songs, and intricate a cappella arrangements. According to the program director, Mr. Newcomb, the winter concert stands out due to the performers’ formal uniforms, the festive decorations, and the inclusion of three traditional songs; all of which create a unique lively atmosphere. This concert allows students to showcase their talents and hard work which they continually show throughout the year. The concert will be held at The Woodlands Methodist Church on Tuesday at 7:00 PM.
Along with the Winter Performance, the choir excels in competition. Each year, many students in the choir program tirelessly prepare for the All-State Choir competition. This prodigious competition is one of the highest honors and is the most rigorous competition for high school vocalists in Texas. There are four rounds of auditions, with each round taking less and less students to the next round. The competition gets even more dynamic and difficult as the last two rounds of auditions include a sight reading component. The Woodlands High School recently just hosted the Pre-Area competition (the third round), in which only the top five singers from each voice part advance. In the next round of the competition, Area students will have to go through one more audition in which the top five singers of a voice part will be selected to make the cut to sing in the All-State Choir.
Mr. Newcomb emphasized the choir’s dedication, stating that “we’re proud of our students who work hard to master challenging music.” “Overcoming those difficulties not only improves their individual skills but also strengthens the choir as a whole,” he continues.
Adding to the accolades of the Woodlands Choir program, this year the Varsity Womans’ Choir was invited to perform at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) convention. TMEA is one of the most prestigious and largest music educator conventions in the nation, including over 29,000 attendees. “So we’re honored to get to sing,” shares Mr. Newcomb, “over the last few years, we took recordings from some of the women’s choir’s work, and that’s what warranted the invitation along with the repertoire we intended to perform if we were invited.” “Before I know who’s in the choir, I have to pick what repertoire. The girls this year are working hard and doing a great job. It’s going to be just a wonderful concert and hopefully a memory that the girls who are participating will carry with them for a long time.” explains Mr. Newcomb.
The choir features many events throughout the year including a fall, winter, and spring concert along with the famous annual Pop Show. The Woodlands High School Choir is more than just a program—it’s a family united by a love of music that continues to inspire, uplift, and harmonize both within the school and beyond.
