Gardner-Webb Showcases Excellence at 46th Choral Clinic

Largest-Ever Choral Clinic Brings 336 Students to Campus to Experience Music Education and Campus Life

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Gardner-Webb Department of Music recently welcomed the largest group ever to its 46th Choral Clinic. Attending the daylong event were 336 students representing 32 middle and high schools from 11 counties across North Carolina. Eleven schools participated for the first time this year.

“This is our largest recruiting event every year and an opportunity for choirs in North Carolina to experience everything GWU has to offer,” noted Dr. Joshua Cheney, associate professor of music and director of choral activities. “We love the Choral Clinic!”

The clinicians were Dr. Aaron Rice, associate professor and chair of the Gardner-Webb Department of Music, and Dr. Jill Campbell from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond. The groups participated in morning and afternoon rehearsals with the clinicians. The students also had lunch in the Caf, toured campus, and presented a concert at 6:30 p.m. The GW student chapter of NAfME (National Association for Music Education) assisted with registration, distributed shirts and information, conducted tours, and helped in a variety of ways.

The high school choirs prepared all of their music in advance. On the day of the clinic, Rice helped solidify pitches and rhythms while adding the nuances of choral artistry during their rehearsals.

Also held during the event was the Third Treble Voices Clinic, which is offered to students in grades four through eight. “This group differed from the high school group as they prepare half of the music in advance, and the other half is taught by the clinician that day,” explained Dr. Eric Johnson, GWU assistant professor of music education. “I decided to structure this group in that way when we started, so that our Gardner-Webb music education students, as well as the teachers in attendance, could see a clinician take the students from not knowing to performance. This helps them all see different examples of teaching pedagogy in action.”

Johnson added that Campbell, an associate professor of music education, was selected to teach the younger group because of her noted work with the adolescent developing voice and her fun pedagogical approaches.

After the event, Campbell praised the Gardner-Webb choral department. “The professors truly care about their work and their students,” she affirmed. “They work for and achieve excellence while still serving their students with kindness and respect. I will not soon forget their hospitality and my experience with the event. We made music together and learned from one another. I am grateful for my experience at Gardner-Webb. A major shout out to Dr. Johnson and Dr. Cheney for their hands on preparation for the festival. They are top notch conductors and humans!”

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Learn more at gardner-webb.edu.