The Highland Park High School Choral Program is home to 4 ensembles - 3 curricular, and 1 extracurricular. Each is designed to help students learn how to more effectively use their voices, as well as learn more about music theory, music history, and ear training, through the music that they practice and perform for each concert.

Concert Choir

Concert Choir provides opportunities for freshmen to develop their musical potential through singing in a choral ensemble. Study includes the care and cultivation of beautiful tone, the ability to read music, the building of technical skills, team spirit, and responsible rehearsal habits, as well as fundamental music theory and ear training skills. Students will develop listening skills and their ability to evaluate music performances. Private lessons are encouraged. This course may be repeated for credit. Attendance at all public performances is required. No pre-requisite class required.

Chorale

Chorale, open to all sophomores-seniors, provides opportunities for advanced choral students to refine their musical production and aesthetic understanding through singing in a choral ensemble. This advanced ensemble further develops the cultivation of beautiful tone, aesthetic awareness, and the ability to read music at a more advanced level, the refinement of technical skills,team spirit, and responsible rehearsal habits, as well as advanced music theory and ear training concepts. Students will strengthen their listening skills and their ability to analyze and evaluate music and music performances. Private lessons are encouraged. Attendance at all public performances is required. Honors credit is available by application. 

Swing Choir

Swing Choir employs advanced singing techniques in the performance of jazz, pop, and musical theatre styles. Advanced listening and tonal skills are developed, and a strong ear is a big advantage in this class. Previous singing experience is a strong asset for students who choose to join this performance ensemble. Private lessons are encouraged. Attendance at all public performances is required. Students in this ensemble have the option of auditioning for Vocal Jazz ILMEA. 

MadCap

These singers are a highly select group of voices. A high level of skill and experience are required because of the style and difficulty of the music performed. In the fall semester, the group studies Madrigals, an a cappella form of vocal music from the Renaissance era. The group also performs around the community for various holiday events. In the spring semester, the group transforms into a contemporary a cappella group (in the style of Pentatonix, Voctave, and others). Music studied is contemporary popular music, and students learn to develop a healthy, style-appropriate vocal tone for this style, as well as other related skills (such as vocal percussion and microphone technique). This ensemble is open to all students involved in an HPHS music ensemble, and rehearses outside of the school day.