Pleasant Ridge Union School District : Magnolia Intermediate Choir

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Magnolia's Award Winning Choirs

Four choirs are offered at Magnolia Intermediate School, each with it’s own distinct identity. Magnolia’s choirs are well known in the community and many students are given the opportunity to develop skills in both music and presentation. These award-winning choirs participate in many festivals and regularly receive high scores in competitive events.

Starmakers Show Choir

Starmakers is a choir that also dances, known as a Show Choir. This auditioned group is a mixed choir of 30-32 members, singing in three to four parts. These polished performers study traditional choral mu Choir2 sic as well as pop styles, and present a variety of genres within the “show pop” styles. Students also learn basic dance skills, including ballroom dance etiquette and forms; contemporary and jazz; and basic ballet skills for balance, strength and coordination. Teamwork and self-management are critical performance tools that are acquired here, as students develop the trust and skills necessary to perform at the highest ensemble level

“Bella Voce” Choir

“Bella Voce” (Beautiful voice) is the Magnolia Girl’s Ensemble. This auditioned group of 32 Choir9 7th and 8th grade girls concentrates on two and three-part harmony singing, learning styles that vary from Italian opera to contemporary musical theatre, pop and swing. Music literacy is developed as the girls learn to read choral scores, and proper use and care of the voice is emphasized at all times.

Rattler's Chorus
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The Rattler’s Chorus is for the young men of Magnolia.The special needs of the adolescent boys' growing voices are addressed in this class, with plenty of individual attention. Along with the study of music and vocal basics, this class capitalizes on the high levels of energy and curiosity that are part of this group, resulting in a fun and unique opportunity to keep singing as their voices grow up!

Morning Choir

While developed to give 6th grade students the opportunity to sing in a choir, this before-school Choir5 twice-weekly class also attracts 7th and 8th grade choir members who serve as helpers, mentoring the younger students in music reading and in harmony skills. This choir performs at our three regular concerts, participates in one or two off-site festivals and hosts our school district’s annual Elementary Choral Festival.

All 7th and 8th grade choir students are eligible to audition for the North Section Junior High Select Choir, held in Chico each January. Magnolia choral students are always welcome at these events and are recognized for their fine musicianship.

“Jazz Girls”, a small ensemble offered through Bella Voce, gives interested girls an opportunity to delve into the more individual style of choral jazz.

Anne Vaaler - Magnolia 6th-7th-8th Grade Choir Teacher

Anne Vaaler has been directing choirs since she first lined up her dolls, bears and younger siblings and told them to “watch me!” Her original plan, to sing with an opera company in Europe, kept getting sidelined by teaching opportunities until it became clear that ‘home’ was in front of young singers, with her back to the audience. Vaaler She has enjoyed the change of paths, and as a teacher she gets many chances to perform with her students! Anne has directed choirs and taught music for the San Francisco Children's Chorus, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and the San Lorenzo Unified School District. She also worked with the San Francisco Unified School District, focusing on George Washington High School, where she directed a choral program consisting of seven ensembles, while concurrently serving as the music director for two theatrical productions annually. Mrs. Vaaler now serves the Pleasant Ridge Union School District in Grass Valley, where she directs the four award-winning choirs at Magnolia Intermediate School, while she develops curriculum and teaches it to the three district elementary schools. Like many music teachers, she instructs over 1,000 children every week.

Anne received her B.A. in music from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa where she was fortunate enough to sing in the premier Nordic Choir and work under the direction of choral directors Weston Noble and Craig Arnold. She continued her studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and San Francisco State University, completing her teaching credential in music. She is a certified “Music Together” teacher and is a member of MENC-CMEA and ACDA. She has been awarded the California League of Teachers “Outstanding Educator” award, and was honored by San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown for her work with the George Washington High School choirs. She has served as a clinician and adjudicator for numerous choral and solo/ensemble festivals, and was part of a People-to-People delegation of music teachers to China in 1998. We are honored that Anne has chosen to share her musical talents and expertise with the students of this district.