Program Director
Sheri Cook-Cunningham-Vocal Music
scook-cunningham@sjakeepingfaith.org 913-254-4237
Ms. Cook-Cunningham has been at St. James Academy since it opened in 2005. She is the Chairman of the Fine/ Performing Arts Department and the Director of Choral Music. She holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Music Performance from the Conservatory of Music in Kansas City and earned her teaching license from Avila University. She is currently working on her PhD in Choral Pedagogy through the University of Kansas. Ms. Cook-Cunningham is a TEXT Mentor for Avila’s music education program and is an Adjunct Instructor there, teaching Secondary Choral Methods.
Ms. Cook-Cunningham’s style of teaching has been molded by her vast experiences as a performer, private piano instructor, trainer, and motivational speaker. She has worked for Young Audiences, National Seminars Group and Adventure Woods, gaining insight into what motivates students. She has had experience teaching music to all ages, from Kindergarten through High School. Prior to coming to St. James, Ms. Cook-Cunningham taught at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School in Leawood, KS., where she developed their music program in accordance with Diocesan Guidelines. Prior to teaching at St. Michael’s, she taught Junior High Music at St. Thomas More Catholic School in Kansas City, Missouri.
Faculty
Lyra Pringle Pherigo-Vocal Music
lpherigo@sjakeepingfaith.org
Lyra Pringle Pherigo is a professional musician in the Kansas City area. She is a flutist and plays with the Kansas City Symphony, the Kansas City Ballet Orchestra, Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, Starlight and for newEar Contemporary Music Ensemble. Lyra is also a soprano soloist and has sung with the Kansas City Chorale and can be heard on their first Compact Disc recording.
Mrs. Pherigo has a Bachelors of Music in Flute Performance from Arizona State University and a Master of Music in Flute Performance from Northwestern University in Chicago. She is currently working on completing her Graduate Certification in education at Avila University. Mrs. Pherigo is grateful for the opportunity to work at St. James Academy and is fulfilling an internship for her degree. She will be finished in the Spring of 2012.
Jamea J. Sale-Vocal Music
jsale@sjakeepingfaith.org
Mrs. Jamea J. Sale has been working with the St. James Academy Choirs for several years as Assistant Director and vocal coach. She is a singer/soloist and current student intern with the William Baker Festival Singers of Kansas City. Jamea is also a staff member of the Allegro Community Children’s Choir for singers grades 2-12. She holds a Bachelor of Music in K-12 Vocal and Instrumental Music Education from Kansas State University and is also certified in Preschool Musikgarten Education. Mrs. Sale is presently a candidate for Masters of Music in Vocal/Choral Pedagogy at the University of Kansas where she is focusing her studies on the female adolescent changing voice.
Course Descriptions
FRESHMAN CHOIR PA 101
Prerequisites: None Credit: 1 Grade: 9th
All freshmen students interested in choir will be placed in Freshman Choir. This choir consists of students with a variety of musical experiences. Students will develop their singing and musical skills while working on breath support, tone quality, posture, diction, theory, blend and sight singing while singing a variety of musical styles.
Required of all members is participation in scheduled concerts as well as some after school and/or evening rehearsals. Piano accompanists are welcome.
Course Fee= $50 to cover the costs of music and choir uniform. Due at August check-in.
CONCERT CHOIR PA 202
Prerequisites: One year in either Freshmen Choir or equivalent. Audition with instructor and must pass music theory and sight singing tests
Credit 1 Grade: 10th, 11th, 12th
This is an audition choir for students who enjoy singing and want to sing more advanced literature in a variety of styles and languages. Students will develop their singing and musical skills while working on breath support, tone quality, posture, diction, theory, blend and sight singing while singing a variety of musical styles.
Required of all members is participation in scheduled concerts as well as some after school and evening rehearsals. Piano accompanists are welcome.
Course Fee= $50 to cover the costs of music and choir uniform. Due at August check-in.
CHAMBER SINGERS PA 203
Course Code: Z Credit: 1 Grade: 10th, 11th, 12th
Prerequisite: One year of Freshman or Concert Choir plus vocal audition with the Choral Director.
Chamber Singers is an advanced performing ensemble open to men and women by audition only. Students must be willing to work hard, maintain a positive attitude and have a strong desire to perform. This class will meet during school. There will be some movement required. Chamber Singers will perform a variety of choral literature and will perform at all St. James Concerts as well as Regional and State Contests in April. Students must be available to participate in a full day summer camp August 1-5. Piano accompanists are welcome.
ADVANCED CHOIR PA 204
Prerequisite: Member of Freshmen Choir or Concert Choir plus vocal audition with the Choral Director. This ensemble will meet during zero hour.
Course Code: Z Credit: 1/2 Grade: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Advanced Choir is an advanced vocal ensemble for women that will meet before school. This is an intermediate performance choir with students having developing voices and displaying a serious attitude towards choral excellence. Advanced Choir will perform a variety of choral literature and will perform at all St. James Performances as well as Regional and State Competitions in April. Required of all members is participation in scheduled concerts as well as some after school and evening rehearsals.
HONORS CHOIR
Prerequisite: Member of Freshmen Choir, Chamber Singers or Concert Choir plus vocal audition with the Choral Director. This ensemble will meet during zero hour.
Course Code: Z Credit: 1/2 Grade: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
This is the most advanced vocal ensemble for women and will meet before school. This is a performance choir and students are expected to have mature voices and display a serious attitude towards choral excellence. Honors Choir will perform a variety of choral literature and will perform at all St. James Performances as well as Regional and State Competitions in April. Required of all members is participation in scheduled concerts as well as some after school and evening rehearsals.
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