It’s refreshing to walk past the Oxford High School choir room and hear a classic hit from 50 years ago.
What’s even more refreshing is hearing the 1958 classic ‘Sixteen Candles? being sung by 29 young men not afraid to express their musical side.
The OHS Men’s Choir is growing by leaps and bounds. Last year, it had only nine members. This year it more than tripled thanks to the vision and efforts of Choir Director Christopher Card.
Card, who also directs the 98-member Oxford Women’s Choir (which has grown from 65), decided to form separate choirs for the guys and gals, so he can focus on each choir’s talents, needs and differences, group them accordingly, then design a strategy that utilizes the best of each singer’s abilities.
Drawing from his past experiences creating men’s programs in Byron Center and Webberville, Card believes creating a separate program is the best way to encourage more male students to join choir.
‘There’s something cool when you pull men together,? Card said. ‘There’s a camaraderie there that few people understand. We have a small amount of guys, which is typical of many choir programs. We want to fight that. If we want to be a program of excellence, we have to deal with the men issue.?
And by ‘the men issue,? Card means getting rid of the stereotype that being in choir isn’t cool.
Some may be surprised to learn that Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler began his musical career singing in a church choir.
‘Who knows who will come out of our program?? he said.
Card hopes more guys will start to view the Men’s Choir as a challenging and fun activity.
There are lots of reasons to join.
For some, it presents a chance to improve something they already like to do.
‘I like to learn techniques since I’m in a band,? said senior James Black, who sings bass in the choir and is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the recently-formed local band Half Empty. ?[Choir] improves and extends my vocal range.?
Black enjoys singing the songs ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough? and ‘Barbara Ann?.
Junior Marcus Villarreal is in his first year of choir and enjoys what he’s experienced so far.
‘I like singing a lot and hanging out with friends,? he said. ‘It’s pretty cool. My whole life, I’ve been about music and have always loved it.?
Jalen Rose, a junior, said he likes how choir strengthens his voice and helps him expand his range.
The Men’s Choir will get its opportunity to show off its pipes at the Tuesday, Oct. 21 Fall Concert at 7 p.m.
Although things have been going well so far, Card is really digging in to make sure the guys will be ready for the event.
‘We have a lot of work to do to get ready for the first concert,? he said. ‘With so many guys new to choir, they have to learn how to handle a man’s voice since the last time many sang was in middle school. They didn’t have the same instrument then. Their voices have deepened.?
Card is confident things will turn out well.
‘The audience will be blown away,? he said.
Card is also hoping the Men’s Choir will look as well as they sing.
The choir needs an estimated $3,000 to purchase more tuxedoes for the additional male singers to wear during performances.
To meet this need, the choir program is soliciting donations through its Friend of the Choir program.
Businesses and individuals can become patrons of the choir through various membership levels ? Bronze $20, Silver $100 and Gold $500.
Card predicted the need for tuxedoes will continue to grow as more men join the choir.
‘I know there will be more joining choir as we gain momentum,? he said.
The more fun current members have, the more they’ll recruit their friends, siblings and teammates for choir.
‘The guys last year spread the word,? Card said. ‘I know it’ll snowball and we’ll get even more guys in next year.?