FARMINGTON — RSU 9 directors voted Tuesday to approve the creation of a new chorale ensemble, officially called the Mt. Blue High School Chamber Singers.

The all-female ensemble will be dedicated to learning and performing choral styles from multiple periods. Those include renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic, contemporary, jazz and world music, according to Director Carol Shumway’s request to the board.

The music will include piano accompaniment, jazz band and other instrumental accompaniments.

This group will take the place of the Syncopations that Shumway founded and previously directed. The Syncopations was also an auditioned women’s vocal ensemble dedicated to performing a wide range of musical genres from pop to jazz to classical.

Any student participating in the high school choral program is encouraged and welcome to audition, Shumway wrote in an application to create the group. Auditions have been held and will be again next spring for the coming academic year.

She envisions an ensemble of 12 to 16 singers but would consider a group of 20 if the situation presented itself, she wrote.

Shumway said she will be the only director but Patricia Hayden will be serving as a volunteer accompanist. Hayden also was an accompanist with the Syncopations as well.

She requested and the board approved the stipend she received as the director of the Syncopations.

Students participating in the Chamber singers are expected to meet all district eligibility. The cost of the music will come from the Music Department budget.

Shumway also wrote that there may be an occasion for the ensemble to perform in the district community or greater Franklin County area. She said she will make every effort not to schedule performances during the academic day so the students do not miss classes and she does not miss her teaching responsibilities. She is a choral music educator at the high school.

“However, if an opportunity arises that I feel is significant for the ensemble, I will request district bus transportation for after-school rehearsals and local performances,” she wrote.

The stipend for the position is $1,965, according to the teacher contract listed on the district’s website.

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