Webberville Community Schools

The students arrived for the assembly with as much enthusiasm as if they were being asked to sit through a speech on how paint dries. One student was overheard asking a teacher what the assembly was about, and when he heard it was a singing group, he looked less than enthused and inquired if he was required to attend. If there was a lack of anticipation going into the assembly it didn’t last past the first few notes as the nationally known quartet Three Men and a Tenor took the stage.

The group opened with their rendition of “Charlie Brown” and immediately the students became aware that this was no ordinary signing group. Through the power of their voices singing pop, motown, country, oldies and original songs, Three Men and a Tenor demonstrated to the crowd what can be accomplished when you set your mind to excellence in singing.

In addition to their vocal performance, the group took time to talk with the students regarding their own experiences in school and with choir. They shared their personal stories and how they each came to be in the group. They inspired the students to follow their hearts and that anything is possible if they stick to it and are determined to be successful.

Looking back, the guys are amazed at what they have been able to accomplish together. They have performed with musical legends like Chuck Berry, Lee Greenwood, Gary Puckett and The Beach Boys. They have self-produced 6 recordings, and have contracted Paul Cooper, the lead singer/founding member of the multi-platinum selling vocal group, "The Nylons", to help choreograph and stage the live shows, as well as produce their recordings and write and arrange music. And finally, they have a national PBS-TV special that is airing in over 80 markets across the country.

The vocal concert was arranged as a kick-off event for the new choral program currently being developed at the Webberville Community Schools. The performance was made possible through a generous contribution by Kellie Dean, CEO of Dean Transportation.

In the continued pursuit of excellence, the school district is focusing on the development of its fine arts program. One segment of the fine arts curriculum is the choral program. The district has recently hired a Choral Director, Christopher Card, who will be joining the teaching staff in August. Christopher was on hand at the concert to recruit students for the choral program. At the conclusion of the concert, over 91 students in grades 7-12 had signed up for choir!

When school starts in the fall, the choral program will consist of 5 th grade choir, 6 th grade choir, 7 th grade choir and 8 th grade choir. The high school will be offering Men’s Chorus and Women’s Chorus. They will also have a Concert Choir which will be the combination of the Men’s and Women’s Chorus. Looking toward the future, the choral program will eventually offer various Honor Choirs which will be selected on an audition basis.

The school district is very excited about the changes that are coming with the choral program, and especially about the increased opportunities that will be available for our students in the fine arts!