Over the past few years a revival has been sweeping our nation. And while it’s not making headlines it is significantly affecting our culture. The musical seems to have been reborn. The revolution started with such sensations as Fox’s “American Idol” and Disney’s “High School Musical.” More recently, hit TV shows like Fox’s “Glee” and reality shows such as NBC’s “The Sing Off” have made the powerful combination of voice and performance irresistibly entertaining and attractive. The classic adolescent dream of forming a band has broadened in scope adding singing groups, glee clubs, and dance crews to the mix of potential routes to entertainment glory.
The musical trend is not just affecting the entertainment industry; it also seems to be affecting high schools.
High school music programs are gearing up for student involvement and the opportunity to teach and share the gift of music. One school in Little Rock is ahead of the national curve. Central Arkansas Christian (CAC) has recently revived their award-winning choral program and has plans to make it a star once more. The woman behind the revival: Janice Northen.
“I have loved music for as long as I can remember. I love listening to and creating music,” said the CAC choral director. Northen graduated in 2008 from Henderson State University and soon after graduation she was hired as a 7th grade choir director in the Fayetteville Public School District. This summer Northen moved to Little Rock with her husband, Greg, after he was offered a job with Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon, and Galchus, P.C. “I immediately started thinking about where I wanted to work in central Arkansas. At the encouragement of some friends and family, I sent a very short email to CAC’s president,” she explained. “I knew CAC didn’t have a choir, so I told him if he would ever be interested in reviving the program, to please consider me for the position. It truly was providential because everything seemed to fall quickly into place, and I started in August.”
Being a choir director has been a dream for Northen since she was in junior high school. She said, “I spent a lot of time in 8th grade looking through my choir teacher’s college textbooks and teaching myself how to conduct.” Her teachers were very influential in her decision to pursue music. They gave her opportunities to conduct as a student, and all of those opportunities allowed conducting to become a natural thing at a young age. “My only complaint about being a conductor is that I miss actually singing in the choir,” she admitted. Former choral director and current CAC administrator Doug Killgore had some encouraging things to say about the choir’s resurgence. “As in many things in the academic setting, interest waxes and wanes, in a cyclical manner. I have observed this in fine arts, elective academics and athletics,” he said. “But now the chorus has been given a dedicated period in the academic day, as opposed to before or after school or even during lunch. It is more accessible to students.” He said what is most important is that Northen is a “highly trained, experienced, successful professional in a full-time music teaching position— not an afterthought or fill in. The investment is proving fruitful, thanks to Janice and her passion and talents.”
Northen said, “The main reason I wanted to revive the choir program at CAC is because of the potential I saw at this school. Everyday, when I walk by the trophy case, I am reminded of what the CAC choir program once was. CAC’s choirs won 36 plaques and trophies from the years 1993 to 1998 alone. It is certainly not a solo endeavor, but I am excited about playing my part in bringing this program back to what it once was.”
Northen’s vision is not just for competitive success. She is committed to creating a space where all of the students at CAC will have the opportunity to become musically literate and develop a life long love for the musical arts. That vision is slowly becoming a reality. Students are not only enjoying choir, but are enthusiastically involving themselves with the program. And that’s a sound Northen is happy to hear.
Hitting The Right Notes
Favorite thing about December? Being with family, enjoying delicious food, and of course, listening to holiday music!
Childhood memories? Somehow, my sister and I always received gifts from famous people when we were little. Each year, we would get gifts from people such as “Madonna,” “New Kids on the Block,” “Bill Clinton,” “Miss America,” “Elvis Presley,” and “Celine Dion” just to name a few.
Holiday treat? I am cold natured and I have a sweet tooth, so warm, winter drinks like hot chocolate and apple cider have my name written all over them.