Music

SFCS High School Choir

“Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous!   
For praise from the upright is beautiful.  Praise the Lord with the harp; 
Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. 
Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.” 
-- Psalm 33:1-3 --

The High School Choir at Shannon Forest Christian School exists for the purpose of training students to use their God-given talents for His glory, singing His praise, and sharing His Word through music and their lives.  Under the direction of Amanda Gunter, the choir explores various styles and genres of music, learns the basics of music theory and sight-singing, and rehearses for various performances throughout the year.   Performances include, but are not limited to, Christmas Chapel, school preview nights, a Spring Concert, school chapel services and performances in the local community. Opportunities for personal accomplishment are available to students in the form of auditions for South Carolina All-State Chorus and the ACSI Solo and Ensemble Festival.  Students in choir are also eligible to audition for the SFCS Praise Band which leads worship in weekly chapel services.

Churches and community organizations interested in hosting a performance by the SFCS High School Choir should contact the upper school office at 864-678-5115 or email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Amanda Gunter 
Shannon Forest Christian School 
Upper School Music and Choir 
Tri-M Chapter Advisor

Choir Goals:

• Develop each choir member to the best of their vocal ability

• Encourage an appreciation for choral music among our student body

• Provide our Middle School students with education in music history and music of other cultures

• Participate annually in South Carolina Music Educators Association events, such as All-State Chorus Auditions and Upper Region Choir

• Participate annually in at least one adjudicated choral festival

• Represent SFCS in our community through participation in Fall for Greenville, St Francis Holiday Festival, hospital, mall and nursing home performances, and other community events upon request.

• Provide music for school events, such as Grandparents' Day, the Spring Auction and Graduation

• Form a Praise Band each year to lead the student body in worship in our weekly chapel services

Special Projects:

• Tri-M Music Honor Society, chartered in 2009, provides our music students with recognition for their musical achievements and opportunities to serve the Fine Arts Department through service projects.

Competitions

• 2009 ACSI Music Festival

2009-2010 Choir members:
Olivia Black 
Christa Bolton (Librarian) 
Josh Brown (President) 
Katie Brown (Vice President) 
Robbie Brown 
Kissie Byrd 
Ree Byrd 
Philip Chu 
Shannon Connolly (Secretary) 
Angie Culpepper (Treasurer) 
Carson Dils 
Bobby Floyd 
Esther Galletta 
Sarah Geier (Historian) 
Katie Harrell 
Nicole Plumley 
Marisa Revis 
Madison Stephens 
Darielle Wilson 
Justin Wright 

2009-2010 Praise Band
Josh Brown - vocals 
Katie Brown - vocals, guitar 
Robbie Brown - vocals 
Kissie Byrd - vocals 
Ree Byrd - vocals 
Shannon Connolly - vocals 
Angie Culpepper - vocals 
Carson Dils - vocals 
Bobby Floyd - vocals, guitar 
Esther Galletta - vocals 
Sarah Geier - vocals 
Katie Harrell - vocals, Praise Band Leader 
Madison Stephens - vocals 
Shelley Whiting - drums, guitar, vocals 
Trey Sloan - drums 
Emma Pearson, Thomas Spurgeon, Clay Young - Sound and A/V 

2009-2010 Tri-M Music Honor Society Members: 
Josh Brown (President) 
Katie Brown (Vice President) 
Shannon Connolly (Secretary) 
Angie Culpepper (Treasurer) 
Esther Galletta 
Sarah Geier (Historian) 
Katie Harrell 

2009-2010 Performances, Events and Festival Participation:
Monday, September 21, 2009 - Tri-M Music Honor Society Induction Ceremony 
Saturday, October 10, 2009 -  St Francis Fall for Greenville Performance 
Friday, October 16, 2009 -  SFCS Grandparents' Day Performance 
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 -  SWUFest Choral Festival at Southern Wesleyan University 
Monday, November 9, 2009 -  All-State Chorus Auditions 
Monday, December 7, 2009 -  Christmas Concert 
Wednesday, December 9, 2009 -  Christmas Chapel 
Saturday, December 12, 2009 -  St. Francis Holiday Festival Performance 
Monday, January 21- Friday, January 22, 2010 -  SCMEA Upper Region Choir 
Sunday, January 24, 2010 -  Shannon Forest Presbyterian Church Service 
Friday, April 16, 2010 -  SFCS Spring Auction Performance 
April 23-27, 2010 Carnegie Hall Trip (10 choir members performing) 
Thursday, May 6, 2010 -  Spring Concert 
Friday, May 21, 2010 -  Graduation 

Remaining 2010 Fundraisers for New York Trip:

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 -  Panera Bread 
Monday, February 22, 2010 -  Panera Bread 
On-going - World's Finest Chocolate Bar Sales 

SFCS High School Choir To Perform Vivaldi’s GLORIA at Carnegie Hall In New York City

The 2009 Shannon Forest Christian School (SFCS) High School Choir has accepted the prestigious invitation to participate in a 150-175 voice choir featuring students throughout the United States performing Vivaldi’s Gloria in Carnegie Hall, New York City, on Monday, April 26, 2010. The performance will include the New England Symphonic Ensemble and world-class soloists.

This memorable event involves a five-day residency program from Friday, April 23, through Tuesday, April 27, under the direction of guest conductor Dr. Carol Krueger that will culminate in the Carnegie Hall performance. Krueger, is an Associate Professor and Director of Choral Studies at Florida Southern College. She teaches conducting and serves as conductor of the FSC Chorale, Women’s Chorale and Chamber Singers. Krueger presents a long and impressive resume as a choral music educator, a conductor and for her work in music literacy.

The invitation to be a part of this incredible experience came through SFCS’ High School Choir Director Amanda Gunter. SFCS students participating in this event are:

Christa Bolton 
Katie Brown 
Shannon Connolly 
Angie Culpepper 
Esther Galletta 
Sarah Geier 
Nicole Plumley 
Marisa Revis 
Madison Stephens 
Darielle Wilson

For more information on this event or to help support this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, please contact Amanda Gunter at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call the Main Office at 678-5107 to leave her a message.

Music Honor Society Launched at SFCS

The Tri-M Music Honor Society, the honor society for secondary school music students, announces the chartering of a new chapter at Shannon Forest Christian School.  The formation of this chapter signifies the school’s recognition of the importance of the arts in the development of a comprehensive educational program.  The Tri-M Music Honor Society provides a means of recognizing the efforts and achievements of music students who volunteer their time and share their musical talent with others.  Since 1952, over 5,000 Tri-M chapters have been chartered in the United States and abroad and current membership exceeds 45,000.

Students are selected for membership in the honor society on the basis of musicianship, scholarship, character, leadership, and service to their school and community.  The organization’s high standards serve to challenge students to greater effort and achievement and to encourage them in the pursuit of excellence.

To be eligible for membership, students must be currently enrolled in high school choir and have a B average for last semester.  See Mrs. Gunter if you have questions about Tri-M.