The Jarvis Singers was a workshop that gave high school and middle school students the chance to work with a professional singer and teacher this winter.

Chorus teacher Ms. Robar met Jarvis Green when he moved to Barnard after finishing his tour with the musical Rent. He expressed his interest in going beyond performing, becoming a vocal teacher, and the WUHSMS Chorus was a perfect fit.

Ms. Robar worked with Green first with her chorus by having him come in and do a master class with the singers. The group liked him so much that a workshop seemed like an ideal way to get more middle and high school students involved in the program.

“Having a guest artist in the building generates a lot of buzz and is a unique and out of the classroom experience. Having Jarvis really adds variety to the program,” says Ms. Robar.

The group displayed their work both during the March Best Thursday and during their own concert on March 22nd. During Best Thursday, the singers wowed the audiences with their rendition of “Joyful, Joyful” and those who went to their concert were also treated to a fantastic Michael Jackson medley.

“I thought it would be a good opportunity to learn from a professional voice teacher and I heard a lot of good things about him. And from working with him, I’ve really learned a lot,” says Junior Katie Leavitt.

Green also focuses on the energy that goes into singing by warming up the singers with vocal runs, dancing and even adding choreography to the performances. The performance of “Joyful, Joyful” was compared to a musical where the chorus became not only singers but engaging actors as well.