"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
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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.
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Creekside 6th Grade All Music Concert
December 5th, 7PM
Dexter High School Center for the Performing Arts
MC Choirs Winter Concert
December 14th, 7PM
Dexter High School Center for the Performing Arts
Dexter High School Choirs Madrigal Dinner
December 16th 1PM and 5PM
Tickets are available via the district website on ELEYO and must be purchased no
later than Friday, December 1st, 2023
Seating is limited, so reserve your spot today.
Allow yourself to be transported back to the Renaissance as the Dexter High School Choirs entertain you at our 26th Madrigal Dinner. Come and enjoy the intimate setting of the early 16th century surrounded by jesters, knights and kings. Your ticket purchase includes the performance
and a hearty medieval dinner complete with wassail.
The performances are at 1:00PM and 5:00PM in
the Dexter High School Commons.
There is limited seating so purchase early.
People who wish to be seated together must purchase tickets as a group.
Adjustments to the seating chart cannot be made after the fact.
There are no paper tickets for this event.
Please check in at the greeter's table near the main entrance.
You should arrive half an hour before the starting time to experience our pre-show entertainment!
DHS Choir students are called at 11 AM and will remain at school until clean-up is done after the final show. Pizza will be provided for all performers between performances on Saturday. All DHS Choir students are also required to help set up on Friday evening. A signup genius for parents and student help will be published by Friday, November 10th.
https://dexterschools.ce.eleyo.com/course/842/dcs-23-24/dhs-choir-madrigal-dinner
Dexter High School Commons
MSVMA District Solo and Ensemble (Optional)
February 3rd, Details TBA
All Choir Concert
February 27th, 7PM
Dexter High School Center for the Performing Arts
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MSVMA Choral Festival
Lincoln High School
March 19th OR 20th
Details TBA
Creekside Choirs Spring Concert
May 16th, 7PM
Dexter High School Center for the Performing Arts
Mill Creek Choirs Spring Concert
May 21st, 7PM
Dexter High School Center for the Performing Arts
Dexter High School Choirs Spring Broadway Review
May 23rd, 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."
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Randy Gesell
Class of 2017
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"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."
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Reid Snider
Class of 2018
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"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
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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.