Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Choirs from 19 elementary schools recently traveled to the newly refurbished auditorium at the Spring Branch Education Center to perform songs for each other and two guest judges.

At the SBISD Elementary Choir Festival, organized by district music teachers Eric Murillo and Demi Edwards, participants began each of four sessions with stretching and breathing warm ups lead by guest judges Laura Taylor and Mary Neely Stevens.

Following each session’s warm ups, the school choirs in attendance sang two songs together to build unity and camaraderie, and to get their singing voices ready for campus performances.

Each campus choir sang at least two songs under the direction of their music teachers, and to the attention and applause of district peers. Following the performances, Taylor and Neely Stevens gave each group words of praise and suggestions for improvement.

“Did you see how their faces showed how happy they were to be singing?,” said Neely Stevens to the auditorium audience in praise of the Spring Shadows Elementary choir’s two-song recital.

Taylor also thanked the group for exhibiting joy while they sang, and encouraged them to be sure to hit the high notes with as much energy as possible.

The choral groups returned to their campuses with relief (from being nervous!) and a deeper appreciation for singing for their own enjoyment, as well as for others. They also brought “home” festival participation trophies to display at their schools.

List of participating choirs and music directors:

• Memorial Drive Elementary, Director Gina Dixon
• Woodview Elementary, Director Demi Edwards
• Sherwood Elementary, Director Sarah Stagg
• Pine Shadows Elementary, Directors Pablo Ocañas and Briana Selman
• Edgewood Elementary, Directors Hope Shiver and Kay Cha
• Spring Shadows Elementary, Director Herbert Anzora
• Housman Elementary, Director Cassandra White
• Buffalo Creek Elementary, Director Tobey Unrath
• Cedar Brook Elementary, Director Melissa Miles
• Hunters Creek Elementary, Director Lorin Mott
• Frostwood Elementary, Director Catherine Justl
• Rummel Creek Elementary, Directors Ally Scott and Cathy Doolan
• Spring Branch Elementary, Director Juanita Irwin
• Terrace Elementary, Director Eric Murillo
• Bunker Hill Elementary, Director Deanna Kolde
• Treasure Forest Elementary, Director Paula Ostigin
• Nottingham Elementary, Director Deborah Smith
• Valley Oaks Elementary, Director Aaron Krouse
• Meadow Wood Elementary, Director Michelle Camey