From nearly 40 schools throughout the Central Valley, students have been selected by their instructors to take part in the Fresno-Madera Counties Music Educators Association (FMCMEA) Honor Choir.

The students will perform at 7 p.m. in the Reedley High School Fine Arts Hall, Feb. 5.

Music Director Michael Ogdon chose six students from the 30-member high school concert choir to participate in Honor Choir.

Seniors Jessica Massie and Connor Gibes, juniors Josh Hopper, Amanda Merzon and Zed Fries, and freshman Aliciana Quintana will represent FC at the concert.

At the performance, the honor choir will present “Pueri Hebraeorum” by Randall Thompson, “Where the Earth Meets the Sky” by Z. Randall Stroope, “The Marriage” by Eric Whitacre, “Cindy” by Mack Wilberg and a Russian piece by C. Paxmahnhob.

Since the group has only one rehearsal, Feb. 4, followed by a performance the next night, Ogdon chose individuals whom he felt were capable of the challenge.

“I had to select one [student] from each section of the choir because of the percentage rule,” Ogdon said. “Vocally, they are very capable to read music and have the skills to rehearse quickly and memorize for a fast performance. Each has proven themselves as leaders and musicians during the first part of the year. Honor Choir is a reward for their leadership and service.”

The guest director for Honor Choir, Joseph Modica is currently the Director of Pastoral Music at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Hollywood. In addition, he has been a faculty member of the University of South Carolina and Chapman University, and accompaniment positions at Biola University.

According to Ogdon, the chance to receive instruction from an outside leader such as Modica will present music with a fresh perspective.

“I think there’s always a good experience of being with people from other places and having the chance to work together,” Ogdon said. “There’s always something you learn from someone who’s not your own director, and hearing some of the same things from a different voice can be an encouragement.”

Through Honor Choir, Ogdon hopes that his students will come back with vigor and ambition to uplift the whole FC choir.

“The assumption is that everyone will be highly musically capable, so it ought to be an invigorating musical experience,” Ogdon said. “Hopefully, their energy from having been a part of it will be infused into who we are and who we are becoming.”

For more information, e-mail Ogdon. For more coverage of music groups, read the Dec. 17, 2010 article, ‘Carol Sing’ concert showcases music department.

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