Executive BoardPresident: Amy Boyle
Vice President: Kenneth Newton Treasurer: Amanda Francis Secretary: Joanna Hillis Fundraising Committee: Amanda Magonigal Uniform Committee: Karon Howard Events Committee: Ed Crackel & Jessica Spinoso |
Leadership TeamPresident: Lydia Lemons
Vice-President: Ivy Hillis Secretary: Ava Cahue Librarian: Charlotte Hubbard Social Chairs: Kamdyn Bartley & Chloe Kyser Recruitment Chairs: Jacob Magonigal & Bella Minor Choir Committee: Harrison Alexander, Maddy Fallin, Carly Mecomber, Bekah Pittenger, Parker Roby, & Maren Wall |
Tucker Ratcliff, Choral Director
Tucker Ratcliff was appointed Choral Director at Grissom High School after receiving his Bachelor of Music degree in Choral Music Education from the University of Montevallo (’17). Presently, Ratcliff works with the Women’s and Men’s Choirs, along with the Concert Choir and top auditioned ensemble, the Chamber Choir. During his tenure as director, Ratcliff has reinvigorated Grissom Choir, instilling passion and purpose into its singers, alongside creating and providing opportunities of the highest caliber. He founded the “Grissom Choral Festival”, a middle school recruitment event modeled after various collegiate honor choirs, as well as the “District III Choral Assessment”, an in-house choral performance assessment for Grissom Choir, alongside its three feeder middle school choral programs in District III of Huntsville City Schools.
Outside of the Choral Department, Ratcliff has served as both Music and Orchestra Director for not only Grissom Musical Theatre, where he has conducted shows such as “Tuck Everlasting“, “The Addams Family”, and “Cinderella”, but also as Orchestra Director & Chorus Director for Ars Nova School of the Art’s productions such as “The Light in the Piazza“ & “The Tales of Hoffman”, an opera in 5-acts. Presently, Ratcliff also servers as Director of Music at First Christian Church in Huntsville, Alabama
As an active member of many regional, state, and national organizations, including: NAfME, AMEA, and AVA, Ratcliff currently serves as the Webmaster & Newsletter Editor for the Alabama chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), as well as Treasurer for the Huntsville Choral Directors Association (HCDA). Most recently, Ratcliff has become a founding member of the Alabama Choral Society (ACS) a state-wide professional choir whose mission is to inspire audiences through rich and diverse repertoire.
Mr. Ratcliff gets his drive for life and his inspiration for music from nature & family. His favorite ways to fulfill this need include biking, camping, & spending quality time with his friends, wife, & sons. He finds that this cycle of taking in the natural world and putting it into the music he loves continuously propels him towards new heights.
Outside of the Choral Department, Ratcliff has served as both Music and Orchestra Director for not only Grissom Musical Theatre, where he has conducted shows such as “Tuck Everlasting“, “The Addams Family”, and “Cinderella”, but also as Orchestra Director & Chorus Director for Ars Nova School of the Art’s productions such as “The Light in the Piazza“ & “The Tales of Hoffman”, an opera in 5-acts. Presently, Ratcliff also servers as Director of Music at First Christian Church in Huntsville, Alabama
As an active member of many regional, state, and national organizations, including: NAfME, AMEA, and AVA, Ratcliff currently serves as the Webmaster & Newsletter Editor for the Alabama chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), as well as Treasurer for the Huntsville Choral Directors Association (HCDA). Most recently, Ratcliff has become a founding member of the Alabama Choral Society (ACS) a state-wide professional choir whose mission is to inspire audiences through rich and diverse repertoire.
Mr. Ratcliff gets his drive for life and his inspiration for music from nature & family. His favorite ways to fulfill this need include biking, camping, & spending quality time with his friends, wife, & sons. He finds that this cycle of taking in the natural world and putting it into the music he loves continuously propels him towards new heights.
Women's Choir
The Women’s Choir is primarily for rising 9th grade women who wish to continue singing from middle school into high school, however, it is open to 10th-12th grade women who are looking to join choir for the first time. As many of these singers have just been through a voice change, we spend a lot of time focusing on vocal technique, so singing is a comfortable activity for them. This ensemble works on singing 2-3 part women's choral literature, while learning proper vocal technique, music theory, and sight-singing. At the end of each year, all women are auditioned for Concert Choir, and have the opportunity to audition for Chamber Choir.
(Mixed Chorus I, #05110G1001)
(Mixed Chorus I, #05110G1001)
Men's Choir
The Men’s Choir is primarily for rising 9th grade men who wish to continue singing from middle school into high school, however, it is open to 10th-12th grade men who are looking to join choir for the first time. As many of these singers have just been through a voice change, we spend a lot of time focusing on vocal technique, so singing is a comfortable activity for them. This ensemble works on singing 2-3 part men’s choral literature, while learning proper vocal technique, music theory, and sight-singing. At the end of each year, all men are auditioned for Concert Choir, and have the opportunity to audition for Chamber Choir.
(Mixed Chorus II, #05110G1002)
(Mixed Chorus II, #05110G1002)
Concert Choir
The Concert Choir is the auditioned, intermediate level ensemble open to students in 10th-12th grade. This ensemble focuses on learning 3-4 part SA(T)B repertoire. They perform at concerts, assessments and other events. Students take the fundamental concepts learned in Women’s & Men’s Choir to grow their musicianship skills. These students are not only involved in choir and other fine arts, but other areas of our school community, such as sports, AP courses and more. At the end of each year, these students are re-auditioned for the Concert Choir, and have the opportunity to audition Chamber Choir.
(Mixed Chorus III, #05110G1003)
(Mixed Chorus III, #05110G1003)
Chamber Choir
The Chamber Choir is an auditioned, advanced ensemble open to students in 10th-12th grade. This ensemble focuses on learning 4-8 part SATB repertoire. They perform at concerts, assessments, and other events throughout the Huntsville area and the state of Alabama. These students are not only involved in choir and other fine arts, but other areas of our school community, such as football, basketball, AP courses and more. Each year, students are selected based upon their execution of a self-prepared song, sight-reading, scales, work ethic, and attitude during the previous school year. Students must maintain a level of music proficiency that would enable them to be a contributing member of this premier, collegiate-level ensemble.
(Mixed Chorus IV, #05110G1004)
(Mixed Chorus IV, #05110G1004)