About Chorus

Chorus is one of several year-long connections classes offered at SFMS. Founded in 2013, the Chorus program is one of the largest organizations at the school, with a typical enrollment of around 250 students.

The five different ensembles that make up the South Forsyth Middle School Chorus program consistently receive Superior ratings at GMEA’s Large Group Performance Evaluations and other music festivals around the state. A frequent visitor to Orlando, the Chorus program has earned multiple Best-in-Class and Gold Awards at Festival Disney. In 2025, the SFMS Advanced Treble Chorus was one of only three middle school choirs selected as a featured performer at GMEA’s Annual In-Service Conference. The SFMS Chamber Choir had been previously selected for the same honor in 2020.

SFMS Chorus students have also enjoyed many individual successes; the program’s representation in Georgia’s All-State Chorus has been one of the state’s most prolific since 2017. SFMS Chorus was Georgia's top-performing middle school program in 2019 and from 2022-2024 with an all-time high of 32 students selected in 2024. Members of the SFMS Chorus have also received accolades for solo performances at Festival Disney. SFMS Chorus Alumni have gone on to perform well at the high school level, winning Shuler Awards, State One Act Championships, and State Literary Championships, and being selected for the Governor's Honors Program for voice, among others.

The main areas of study in Chorus class can be broken down into two overarching components; music literacy and music performance. We consider both aspects of the curriculum to be equally important.

Learning to read music is much like learning a new language. It is a challenging, yet rewarding process that will give your child access to centuries of history through music, and the ability to speak a common language with millions across the world. That’s an awesome power, and precisely why we put a big focus on teaching the students to read and read well. 

The students will study over a dozen pieces of music during their sixth grade year, preparing each for public performance. Along the way, the students will learn about healthy vocal technique, expression through singing, and how to become detail-oriented in their preparation. They will also learn what it means to be part of a team; how to keep balance in an environment that is both collaborative and competitive; and how to contribute to a collective effort that is bigger than just themselves, while also striving for constant self-improvement.

The students will put on at least four concerts as a full choir; two in the Fall and two in the Spring. A fifth day-trip performance will have them singing in front of judges for an evaluation and potential honors.

Outside of class, the Chorus program also accounts for quite a few opportunities, including optional trips, performances, ensembles, and clubs. While the program still evolves year-to-year, there are fundamental offerings that serve as tentpoles for the organization.

Over the course of a three-year tenure in Chorus at SFMS, each chorus student will have the opportunity to put on over a dozen concerts and three showcases, sing at school and professional sporting events, travel to compete in state and local chorus competitions, and the big one -- compete at Festival Disney in Walt Disney World, an annual Spring Trip just for Chorus students. It’s a great balance of rewarding work and deserved fun!

The Chorus program also offers students quite a few ways to continue their music studies outside of the Chorus class. Our most popular extracurricular is Glee Club, a performance-oriented club that gives students a chance to perform songs of their choosing for an audience of their peers. Many use it as a creative outlet or a means to overcome stage fright in a supportive environment.

As members of the Georgia Music Educators Association, SFMS Chorus also participates in GMEA-sanctioned events, including Large Group Performance Evaluations, Georgia’s All-State Chorus, and Honor Chorus events at every level. These events provide opportunities for personal pursuits in the music world.