At LD Bell High School, it is our belief that all students possess the ability to understand, perform, and appreciate the art of choral music. For this reason, we offer a variety of opportunities in which our students are challenged and encourage in their development as people and musicians. Criteria for placement include academic eligibility, musicianship, sight-reading, vocal quality, citizenship, and commitment to the BHS choir program. The descriptions below detail membership requirements and provide a brief summary of each ensemble's expectations and goals for the school year.
A Cappella**
Established in 1956 as the premier choral ensemble of LD Bell High School, this elite mixed choir has a long tradition of excellence. Membership in this ensemble is limited to students in grades 11-12 and is granted only after a rigorous audition process based on musical performance, sight-reading ability, academic eligibility and citizenship. A Cappella performs at all BHS choir concerts, UIL contest, baccalaureate, and for other major events throughout the year. From this ensemble comes the Varsity Women’s and Varsity Men’s Choirs. These choirs perform at all BHS concerts, UIL Contest, and festival competitions. Auditions for membership are held at the end of the first trimester and at the conclusion of each school year.
JV Mixed**
Auditioned at the end of the first trimester, this ensemble consists of both men and women in grades 10-12. Members will focus on the advancement of choral musicianship skills, improved vocal technique, and advanced sight-reading skills. Students in this ensemble are expected to be leaders both in and outside of the choral rehearsal, maintaining high levels of academic excellence and serve as outstanding examples of student leadership. Members of this ensemble perform both as a mixed ensemble and separately as the JV Women’s and with the Varsity Men’s Choirs. The JV Mixed Choir performs at all BHS choir concerts and UIL Concert & Sight-Reading assessments.
Bel Canto
Members of this ensemble focus on the development of advanced choral musicianship skills, improved vocal technique, and superior sight-reading skills. Membership of this ensemble consists of students in 11th and 12th grade with at least one year of experience in the BHS Choir Department. Students in this ensemble are expected to be leaders both in and outside of the choral rehearsal, maintaining high levels of academic excellence and serve as outstanding examples of student leadership. Members of this ensemble will perform at all BHS Concerts, UIL Contest, and festival competitions.
Choralier Women
This is a non-auditioned, developmental treble choir for students in grades 10-12 who are new to choir at LD Bell. This year long course will focus on the development of choral musicianship skills, vocal technique, and sight-reading skills necessary for success at the high school level. Students in this ensemble are expected to maintain high levels of academic excellence and serve as outstanding examples of student leadership. Members of this ensemble will perform at all BHS Concerts, UIL Contest, and festival competitions.
Choralier Men
This is a non-auditioned, men’s ensemble for students in grades 10-12. This year long course will focus on the development of choral musicianship skills, vocal technique, and sight-reading skills necessary for success at the high school level. Members of this ensemble will combine Varsity Men’s Choir for performances at BHS Concerts, UIL Contest, and at festival competitions.
The Bell System**
This ensemble is an auditioned group of students in grades 10-12 that specializes in popular music performances. This mixed-gender ensemble serves as the choral department’s liaison to the community performing at various community events as well as all BHS choir concerts, festival competitions and is the featured performance group in the choir department’s winter production entitled, “Showtime!” As a member of this ensemble, students will participate in learning and performance opportunities that develop their individual singing and performance skills. Auditions for this ensemble will be held in May of each school year for membership the following year. Students selected for membership in The Bell System are also required to be enrolled in a major ensemble in order to participate in this group.
Established in 1956 as the premier choral ensemble of LD Bell High School, this elite mixed choir has a long tradition of excellence. Membership in this ensemble is limited to students in grades 11-12 and is granted only after a rigorous audition process based on musical performance, sight-reading ability, academic eligibility and citizenship. A Cappella performs at all BHS choir concerts, UIL contest, baccalaureate, and for other major events throughout the year. From this ensemble comes the Varsity Women’s and Varsity Men’s Choirs. These choirs perform at all BHS concerts, UIL Contest, and festival competitions. Auditions for membership are held at the end of the first trimester and at the conclusion of each school year.
JV Mixed**
Auditioned at the end of the first trimester, this ensemble consists of both men and women in grades 10-12. Members will focus on the advancement of choral musicianship skills, improved vocal technique, and advanced sight-reading skills. Students in this ensemble are expected to be leaders both in and outside of the choral rehearsal, maintaining high levels of academic excellence and serve as outstanding examples of student leadership. Members of this ensemble perform both as a mixed ensemble and separately as the JV Women’s and with the Varsity Men’s Choirs. The JV Mixed Choir performs at all BHS choir concerts and UIL Concert & Sight-Reading assessments.
Bel Canto
Members of this ensemble focus on the development of advanced choral musicianship skills, improved vocal technique, and superior sight-reading skills. Membership of this ensemble consists of students in 11th and 12th grade with at least one year of experience in the BHS Choir Department. Students in this ensemble are expected to be leaders both in and outside of the choral rehearsal, maintaining high levels of academic excellence and serve as outstanding examples of student leadership. Members of this ensemble will perform at all BHS Concerts, UIL Contest, and festival competitions.
Choralier Women
This is a non-auditioned, developmental treble choir for students in grades 10-12 who are new to choir at LD Bell. This year long course will focus on the development of choral musicianship skills, vocal technique, and sight-reading skills necessary for success at the high school level. Students in this ensemble are expected to maintain high levels of academic excellence and serve as outstanding examples of student leadership. Members of this ensemble will perform at all BHS Concerts, UIL Contest, and festival competitions.
Choralier Men
This is a non-auditioned, men’s ensemble for students in grades 10-12. This year long course will focus on the development of choral musicianship skills, vocal technique, and sight-reading skills necessary for success at the high school level. Members of this ensemble will combine Varsity Men’s Choir for performances at BHS Concerts, UIL Contest, and at festival competitions.
The Bell System**
This ensemble is an auditioned group of students in grades 10-12 that specializes in popular music performances. This mixed-gender ensemble serves as the choral department’s liaison to the community performing at various community events as well as all BHS choir concerts, festival competitions and is the featured performance group in the choir department’s winter production entitled, “Showtime!” As a member of this ensemble, students will participate in learning and performance opportunities that develop their individual singing and performance skills. Auditions for this ensemble will be held in May of each school year for membership the following year. Students selected for membership in The Bell System are also required to be enrolled in a major ensemble in order to participate in this group.
**Criteria for placement includes academic eligibility, musicianship, sight-reading, vocal quality, citizenship, and commitment to the BHS choir program. The number of positions available will be determined by the director prior to audition and will be filled at their discretion.