MVHS Choirs
* - An audition conducted by the director is required before entry of these choirs. The audition will include vocal range testing/vocal
memory, individual as well as group singing & a basic music sight reading exercise. Auditions are generally held in the spring time for all new and returning members but special auditions will be granted on a case by case basis.
** - To be eligable for this choir, you music be a currently enrolled member of the MVHS Choral Music program and in good accademic and behavioral standings with the school. An audition conducted by the director is required before entry to this choir(members of Chamber Singers & Treble Choir are exempt from the audition process). This is strictly a voluntary choir that does not count for any credits and does require added time and effort above and beyond the daily classroom participation as well as any other needs that may be associated with such an opportunity.
memory, individual as well as group singing & a basic music sight reading exercise. Auditions are generally held in the spring time for all new and returning members but special auditions will be granted on a case by case basis.
** - To be eligable for this choir, you music be a currently enrolled member of the MVHS Choral Music program and in good accademic and behavioral standings with the school. An audition conducted by the director is required before entry to this choir(members of Chamber Singers & Treble Choir are exempt from the audition process). This is strictly a voluntary choir that does not count for any credits and does require added time and effort above and beyond the daily classroom participation as well as any other needs that may be associated with such an opportunity.
*Chamber Singers
The MVHS Chamber Singers is a small, award winning choir that regularly performs outside the school both locally and nationwide. The group is open to all experienced singers in grades 9-12 who have interest and a passion for singing. Music performed by the Chamber singers includes "classical" music as well as seasonal and contemporary pop hits (with the majority of it being performed a cappella) allowing students to express themselves musically as a group and as individuals. Along with the traditional rehersal and performances for private, public, civic and school functions, the Chamber singers also partake in tours, competitions, and festivals both local and nationwide.
*Treble Choir
The MVHS Treble Choir is an all women advanced performance ensemble open to a limited number of experienced singers in grades 9-12. This group performs primarily "classical" music of many different styles and periods as well as seasonal music and contemporary pop hits allowing students to express themselves musically as a group and as individuals. The Treble Choir is regularly involved in competitions and festivals, and may perform for some private, public, civic and school functions as well as tour locally and nationwide.
Concert Choir
The MVHS Concert Choir is an entry-level choral group, open to all students with little or no previous choral experience. This class provides opportunities for young men and women to have the experience of singing together in simple harmony. The Concert Choirs primary focus is to establish basic pitch, along with develop good choral discipline while performing as a team at school performances and ultimately advancing into the auditioned choirs such as the Chamber Singers and Treble Choir.
**Diablo Singers
The MVHS Diablo Singers is an award winning Tour Choir that is comprised of members from all the above MVHS choirs and is strictly a voluntary choir that is not apart of the MVHS class schedule. The Diablo Singers is geared more towards the "classical" music commonly used in choir competitions and, as such, require a more advanced understanding and dedication for each of its members. Annually, this choir tours to different destinations to perform special concert and compete in some of the most recognized competitions in the nation. Most recently, the Diablo Singers have traveled to New York City (performing in the world famous Carnegie Hall), Chicago, Seattle & San Francisco. The Diablo Singers will be returning to touring in 2022-2023 school year, competing in the Southeastern High School Choral Competition hosted by Worldstrides Heritage in Nashville, TN spring 2023.
Choir Council 2024-2025
President - Tristan Fordham
Vice President - Annika Clark
Publicity Manager - Annabelle Shumaker
Events Coordinator - Jayden Harville
Secretary - Jaden Carbonel
Librarian - Koa Hassett
Historian - Elizabeth Tiangco
Property Manager - Elora Mahn
Vice President - Annika Clark
Publicity Manager - Annabelle Shumaker
Events Coordinator - Jayden Harville
Secretary - Jaden Carbonel
Librarian - Koa Hassett
Historian - Elizabeth Tiangco
Property Manager - Elora Mahn
MRS. SARAH NORRIS
Mrs. Norris has been the director of choral music at Mission Viejo High School since 2013. During her time at MVHS, the program was able to expand its reach of community involvement by partnering with several different programs on campus as well as different community organizations to spread the joys of MVHS vocal music. Additionally, the program was able to reinvent itself as one of the premier choral music programs in the Southern Orange County by taking home top honors in choral competitions throughout California & beyond. Recipients of the CMEA California State completion Unanimous Superior rating in 2018 & 2019 and a Grammy Distinguished School Semi-Finalist in 2016, our MVHS choral program has accepted invitations to perform at some of the nations top performance venues such as New York City's famous Carnegie Hall where they performed a world premier choral piece by Ola Gjeilo & Stacey Gibbs.
Prior to joining Mission, she was the choral director at Laguna Hills High School from 2007-2013 and was honored to be the student teacher under Mr. John Elg at Mission Viejo High School in 2006. In her 7 years at Laguna, she was able to build the choral program up from 35 students to well over 100+ in three different choirs. The Laguna choirs never earned less than excellent at all festivals or Silver at music competitions. She has been able to direct past programs to top honor sweepstakes at competitions such as the San Diego and Seattle Heritage Competitions in addition to regularly touring and performing locally within the community; most recent tours include Nashville, San Antonio, Chicago, San Diego, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Seattle & New York City. Along with her work as the choral music director, she has served as the primary vocal coach for several musicals in school and the local community including: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Seussical, My Fair Lady, Into the Woods, Beauty and the Beast, Little Women, and Les Miserables.
Performing has always been a part of Mrs. Norris’ life, and she has performed as a soloist at church, as a member of the Pacific Chorale, and onstage at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, and the Hollywood Bowl. She has had the privilege of performing under such masterful composer/conductors as Dr. William Hall, John Mauceri, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Moses Hogan & Eric Whitacre to name a few. Ms. Norris holds a B.M. in Music Education (Magna cum Laude) from Chapman University in Orange, California as well as her Masters in Teaching from San Diego Christian College in San Diego, Ca. In addition, she has both Music and English teaching credentials both obtained at the California State University of Fullerton. She is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association and Southern California Vocal Association. Also, Mrs. Norris started, and is the faculty adviser of, the National Honor society for music student called Tri-M which is open to any active music student who meets the minimum Tri-M national standard requirements. In addition to her work at MVHS, Mrs. Norris has been the director of Choral Ministries at San Clemente Presbyterian Church from 2008-2019 and the director of Music Ministries at United Methodist Church from 2003-2008. Mrs. Norris has been married to her wonderful husband and fellow musician, Greg, since 2006, their daughter Emily and son Matthew.
Prior to joining Mission, she was the choral director at Laguna Hills High School from 2007-2013 and was honored to be the student teacher under Mr. John Elg at Mission Viejo High School in 2006. In her 7 years at Laguna, she was able to build the choral program up from 35 students to well over 100+ in three different choirs. The Laguna choirs never earned less than excellent at all festivals or Silver at music competitions. She has been able to direct past programs to top honor sweepstakes at competitions such as the San Diego and Seattle Heritage Competitions in addition to regularly touring and performing locally within the community; most recent tours include Nashville, San Antonio, Chicago, San Diego, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Seattle & New York City. Along with her work as the choral music director, she has served as the primary vocal coach for several musicals in school and the local community including: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Seussical, My Fair Lady, Into the Woods, Beauty and the Beast, Little Women, and Les Miserables.
Performing has always been a part of Mrs. Norris’ life, and she has performed as a soloist at church, as a member of the Pacific Chorale, and onstage at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, and the Hollywood Bowl. She has had the privilege of performing under such masterful composer/conductors as Dr. William Hall, John Mauceri, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Moses Hogan & Eric Whitacre to name a few. Ms. Norris holds a B.M. in Music Education (Magna cum Laude) from Chapman University in Orange, California as well as her Masters in Teaching from San Diego Christian College in San Diego, Ca. In addition, she has both Music and English teaching credentials both obtained at the California State University of Fullerton. She is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association and Southern California Vocal Association. Also, Mrs. Norris started, and is the faculty adviser of, the National Honor society for music student called Tri-M which is open to any active music student who meets the minimum Tri-M national standard requirements. In addition to her work at MVHS, Mrs. Norris has been the director of Choral Ministries at San Clemente Presbyterian Church from 2008-2019 and the director of Music Ministries at United Methodist Church from 2003-2008. Mrs. Norris has been married to her wonderful husband and fellow musician, Greg, since 2006, their daughter Emily and son Matthew.
MR. JOHN ZECHIEL
Having perfected pitch and a passion for playing both the piano and organ since the age of six, Mr. Zechiel graduated from USC Thorton School of Music in Los Angeles in 2009 where he earned an undergraduate degree in organ performance and again in 2010 with a master's degree in music education. He has been a resident accompanist for several choral music programs in the past and is currently a staff musician for San Clemente Presbyterian Church. In addition to playing organ and piano, Mr. Zechiel has owned and operated Zechiel Music Transcriptions since 2001 where he is known for being a top notch music transcriber, supporting directors all around the world. To gain additional information, please visit www.zechielmusictranscription.com. Making Orange County, CA his home, Mr. Zechiel enjoys being a family man, as a loving husband to his wife Eleanor and Father to his two kids Noah and Emma.
To Contact Mrs. Norris, Please email Sarah.Norris@svusd.org Or email our webmaster missionviejochoir@gmail.com
25025 Chrisanta Drive Mission Viejo, CA 92691
25025 Chrisanta Drive Mission Viejo, CA 92691