Christopher Card has ambitious plans for Oxford’s school choirs and the impressive track record to make them succeed.
‘As I interviewed, I really fell in love with the community, with the students, and with the great potential of what can happen in Oxford,? said the 38-year-old Webberville resident, who was hired in late June to be the new director of the high school and middle school choirs. ‘That’s what drew me to it.?
Card will replace beloved choral director Margaret Payne, who retired in June after 21? years.
‘Mrs. Payne’s left some big shoes to fill because they’ve had great success,? said Card, a 1987 graduate of Okemos High and 1993 graduate of Western Michigan University. ‘She’s done some really nice things with that program. To me, it’s a great platform for reaching new levels.?
Card brings with him 14 years experience as a choral director at Hastings Junior and Senior High School, Cadillac Junior and Senior High School, Byron Center High School and most recently Webberville Schools.
He was informed about the job opening by Oxford’s new superintendent, Dr. William Skilling, who also came here from Webberville. The two originally met at Byron Center, where Skilling was principal for 10 years.
Card’s Number One goal for Oxford is to dramatically increase the number of students singing in choir.
‘Within five years, I want to have 300 kids singing in high school choir,? he said. ‘To me, that’s definitely a realistic goal to work towards. With a school that size, I know we can do it.?
A total of 63 students are currently enrolled in choir this fall.
To some, increasing the number of choir students fivefold might seem like an impossible task, but Card’s done it before.
At Cadillac High School, he restructured the choral music curriculum over seven years and increased it from two ensembles with 46 students to five ensembles with 142 vocalists.
Card grew Byron Center’s choirs from 104 to 164 students in three years.
But it was in Webberville where Card really made his mark. When he started in the rural district, there was no choir class, only a program offered to students before school. Thirteen vocalists participated.
Three years later, Card recruited 60 percent of 7-12th grade students to participate in eight choral groups. In his first year alone, the choir grew to 200 students.
Card, who’s spent 28 years studying and performing as a pianist, plans to grow Oxford’s choirs the same way he did in other districts ? by recruiting people who like to sing, particularly young men.
‘I know there are students in that school that like to sing, but aren’t in choir,? he said.
Many students don’t join because they don’t believe they’re good at singing. But students don’t have to be pop stars, they just have to enjoy singing and want to learn more.
‘If you like to sing, it’s my job to teach you how to sing,? Card said. ‘It’s never too late to start.?
Card is especially eager to ‘break down? the ‘false stereotype? that choir is only for girls.
‘Singing is cool for guys,? he said. ‘I got half the defensive line on the football team (in Webberville) to be in choir and now it’s cool. You don’t pick on choir when they’re in choir.?
Card’s other top goals are to take Oxford’s choir to a national competition his first year here and get invited to appear at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Again, based on his past experience, both are attainable.
Choirs under Card’s direction performed nine times at national music competitions. In six of these performances, his groups brought home superior ratings and three overall first place trophies.
Over the past six years, his choirs have received 28 superior ratings at district and state festivals. In three year, Webberville choirs have received 10 superior ratings at district, state and national festivals.
‘I’ve just been blessed to be in the right place at the right time with the right students,? Card said.
In 1997, 2000 and 2003, Card’s choirs performed at Carnegie Hall by special invitation. His vocalists have also been invited to perform in Washington D.C. and Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
To help ease his transition to Oxford, Card’s spent the last couple of weeks calling and meeting with choir students to introduce himself and gather input.
‘I’ve been finding out what they like about choir, what they want to see happen with choir, what they don’t want to change, what’s special about Oxford choirs,? he said.’It’s helped me a lot to be able to hit the ground running this fall.?
‘I was really struck by the fact the kids want to see (the choir program) grow,? Card noted. ‘They want to reach new levels. They’re hungry for new experiences.?
Card wants to students to enjoy coming to his class.
‘I like my classroom to be really alive, full of energy,? he said. ‘I know I’m successful when the students are just full of energy in the classroom.?
To Card, teaching is ‘a mixture of enjoyment and excellence.?
‘I challenge the students to enjoy what they’re doing, so they want to be in the classroom,? he said. ‘I think teaching is 80 percent personality and the rest is what you know, what you’re imparting to students.?
Card said he pushes his students to ‘think for themselves.?
‘I don’t like giving them the answer, I like leading them to it,? he said.
Card and his wife of 10 years, Christine, are in the process of buying a house in Oxford Township on Seymour Lake Road, near the park.
‘We hope to be in there in a couple weeks,? he said. ‘When we looked at the area, we just knew we wanted to live in Oxford. We want to be part of the community.?
The couple has two children, Cullen, 7, and Ceana, 5. Both will be attending Clear Lake Elementary.
‘I have great confidence in my kids going to school there,? he said.
The couple will also be shopping around for a new church to attend. In the past, the Cards have been active in their churches as musicians, Sunday School teachers, and youth sponsors.
Once he gets his family settled, Card can’t wait to begin tapping into Oxford’s potential
‘I’m really excited about the future of Oxford choirs. I know with the students and community we can build on the success they’ve had and see it go to new levels,? he said. ‘It takes time to build a model choral program, but I know we can do it together.?
Anyone with questions about choir or an interest in joining can e-mail Card at oxfordchoirs@hotmail.com.