"If I cannot fly, let me sing." Stephen Sondheim
ABOUT
The Dexter Community Schools Vocal Music Department strives to assist all members in becoming responsible musicians and informed music consumers. Students will experience music through singing, listening, moving, evaluating, and studying works of different genres. We work hard to develop attitudes which will encourage further student growth and enjoyment throughout adult life. Students will develop positive self worth, musical interests, and leadership skills through musical experiences. At each grade level, students will learn to read music through basic sight-reading and theory drills practiced on a daily basis. Members will achieve successful performance through focusing on intonation, rhythm, diction, balance, dynamics, and phrasing.
This will all culminate into an accurate and expressive performance
DEXTER HIGH SCHOOL
CHAMBER CHOIR
The Dexter High Chamber Choirs is a select audition choir that rehearses every other day. This choir features our most advanced singers in grades 9-12. The Chamber Choir performs a broad range of music from jazz and pop to major choral works. The DHS choirs have a rigorous performance schedule that changes each year to add variety to the literature we learn from and for the enjoyment of the community of Dexter. The DHS Chamber Choir has been under the direction of Mrs. Julie Bassett since 2006. During this time, the choir has consistently received Excellent and Superior ratings at MSVMA District and State Choral Festivals. The choir has also performed several major works in combination with the outstanding Dexter Orchestra and Bands. The Dexter Choirs have participated in the Ann Arbor Symphony's Winter Pops Concert at Hill Auditorium and tours regularly. Most recently to Ireland, Germany, New York and Chicago.
View of audience from the stage at Ann Arbor Symphony Concert. Audience holding lights.
Panoramic view of seats in the DHS Center for the Performing Arts.
MEET THE DIRECTORS
Mrs. Julie Bassett is currently Director of Choirs at Dexter High School and Mill Creek Middle School. Mrs. Bassett holds a BA in music and a BS in vocal and instrumental music education from Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska. She has completed Masters course work in Choral Performance from Eastern Michigan University, where she worked under the direction of Dr. Leonard Riccinto and Trey Jacobs. Mrs. Bassett has been teaching in Dexter since 2006 where she has directed the sixth through twelfth-grade choirs and is the vocal director for their Drama Club.
Mrs. Molly Hampsey is currently the 5th and 6th-grade choir teacher at Creekside Intermediate School and the general music teacher at Beacon elementary. Mrs. Hampsey holds a BM in Music Education (Vocal Concentration) from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in New Jersey and will complete the final coursework for a Master's in Educational Psychology from Eastern Michigan University this spring. Mrs. Hampsey began her teaching career in the Fall of 2012 and has taught in New Jersey and New Orleans before moving to Michigan. Mrs. Hampsey lives in Dexter with her husband, their two kids, and dog Arnie.
Creekside 6th Grade All Music Concert
December 6th, 7PM
Dexter High School Center for the Performing Arts
Creekside 5th Grade All Music Assembly
December 15th, During School
Creekside Gym
DHS and MC Winter Concert
December 15th, 7PM
Dexter High School Center for the Performing Arts
MSVMA MS District Solo and Ensemble (Optional)
January 21st, Details TBA
MSVMA HS District Solo and Ensemble (Optional)
February 4th, Details TBA
All Choir Concert
February 28th, 7PM
Dexter High School Center for the Performing Arts
MSVMA District Middle School Choral Festival
Clarenceville High School in Livonia
March 20th 7:30 AM Depart Mill Creek
11:30 AM Return to Mill Creek
MSVMA District High School Choral Festival
Clarenceville High School in Livonia
March 21st Descant 7 AM Depart 10:30 AM Return
Chamber and Concert 11:00 AM Depart
4:30 PM Return
Creekside Choirs Spring Concert
May 18th, 7PM
Dexter High School Center for the Performing Arts
Mill Creek Choirs Spring Concert
May 23rd, 7PM
Dexter High School Center for the Performing Arts
Dexter High School Choirs Spring Broadway Review
May 25th, 7PM
Dexter High School Center for the Performing Arts
RESOURCES
CREEKSIDE 2021 -2022 CLASS INFORMATION
MILL CREEK 2021-2022 CLASS INFORMATION
CONCERT RECORDINGS
QUOTES AND TESTIMONIALS
"Being in Dexter choirs allowed me to be creative and channel my musical interests. I got to know so many amazing people that I probably would’ve never been around otherwise. It was incredible to see hard work and collaboration turn into beautiful music."
Randy Gesell
Class of 2017
"Choir is a loving and accepting family and I would not give up my two years with them for anything. I loved every second of it and I will miss it the most about my time at Dexter High School."
Reid Snider
Class of 2018
"I love the choir. It’s such a fun, accepting group of people, and I think that everyone should try it at least once."
Haila Moazami 8th Grade, 2018
Dexter Music Students Visit Ireland
The Dexter High School Choirs and Chamber Orchestra travel internationally when we have the opportunity. In March of 2018, we were fortunate enough to spend 7 days touring and performing in Ireland. Check out this video of a few of the highlights.
2017-2018 Concert Highlights
Watch this video of some of the
Concert Highlights of the 2017-2018 School Year.