Bloomfield Hills High School
High School
Performing Arts
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Band & Orchestra
About
Bloomfield Hills High School has participation from nearly 450 students in the performing arts program. Bloomfield Hills Schools has been recognized as a NAMM "Best Community for Music Education" in recent years.
BHHS has three bands plus a jazz band, and three orchestras plus a chamber ensemble. The 9th Grade Band, 9th Grade Orchestra, Concert Band, and Philharmonic Strings are training ensembles made up of mostly 10th and 11th graders. The Symphony Band and Symphony Orchestra are made up of the more advanced string, wind and percussion students.
Bands and Orchestras from BHHS have received Division One ratings every year for at least the past 30 years at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association festivals. The Symphony Bands and Symphony Orchestras have performed in concerts and at festivals in Europe, Edinburgh, Scotland, London, England, Carnegie Hall in New York City, Chicago, and Orlando.
Directors
Alan Posner is entering his fifth year of teaching at Bloomfield Hills High School and eleventh year as a band director. Prior to that, he spent his first three years of teaching in Suttons Bay, MI and the next four at Berkley High School and Norup International School. Mr. Posner holds a degree in instrumental music education from the University of Michigan where he studied with Colleen Conway, Steve Davis, Michael Haithcock, and Donald Sinta. He is also holds a master's degree in instrumental conducting at Oakland University where he studied with Greg Cunningham. Mr. Posner has attended conducting symposiums at Ithaca College, Northwestern University, University of Michigan, University of Missouri Kansas City, and the MMC conducting workshop. He was the recipient of the 2012-2013 Berkley High School Teacher of the Year. Mr. Posner performs actively with many groups in the Metro Detroit area including his klezmer band "Klezundheit". He also serves as the President of MSBOA District 4. In the past, Mr. Posner has also served as the Vice President of Solo and Ensemble for District 2, VP of adjudication for District 4, VP of Band and Orchestra for District 4, host of the District 2 honors band, and Music Ed and Festival improvements committee representative for district 4. Mr. Posner's groups routinely receive "superior" ratings at festival. In 2015, the Berkley High School Jazz Ensemble was invited to perform at the Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids. Mr. Posner is a 2004 graduate of Andover High School and attended Bloomfield Hills Schools K-12. Words cannot describe how excited and honored he was to take over a program that was run by his mentor and high school band director, Mr. Bob Ambrose. In his spare time, Mr. Posner enjoys watching and playing sports, traveling, and spending time with family. Mr. Posner is married to the wonderful Michelle Posner. They live in Berkley with their two children Asher and Owen.
Brennan directs the Campus Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestra. Each ensemble performs in public about six times per year. Brennan also teaches IB Music and IB Theory of Knowledge.
Sean comes to Bloomfield Schools after seven years of teaching, most recently at Portage Public Schools, near Kalamazoo, for the past five years, and at Battle Creek Lakeview School District in the two years before that. Sean earned a Bachelor's degree at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, and a Master's degree at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Brennan has lived primarily in Michigan, growing up in Wixom and attending Walled Lake Central High School. Brennan enjoys jogging, walking through wooded trails, reading, and playing video games. Sean goes through "tea nerd" phases and enjoys some less-common varieties like pu-erh and lapsang souchong. As a violist, Brennan performs professionally about 15 to 20 times per year, and has performed with Yo-Yo Ma, as a member of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra in 2011.
BBOB
The Bloomfield Band and Orchestra Boosters (BBOB) is a organization committed to fostering a vibrant instrumental music community at Bloomfield Hills High School.
Our mission is multi-faceted, ranging from cultivating a passionate and engaged interest in instrumental music among students and faculty to enhancing the overall student experience through extracurricular musical activities. BBOB collaborates closely with the instrumental music program, administration, and Board of Education, working tirelessly to support and promote its various endeavors.
With a steadfast dedication to both educational and community-oriented goals, BBOB endeavors to create meaningful opportunities for student performances, build bridges between vocal and instrumental music students, and cultivate a strong foundation of community interest and support. As a 501(c)(3) organization, BBOB operates exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes, aligning its efforts with the enrichment and advancement of instrumental music education for the students of Bloomfield Hills High School.
Traub
The Traub Scholarship has been established with the aim of providing students of exemplary character an opportunity to embark on a transformative journey abroad after high school graduation and before commencing their college studies. This scholarship is specifically designed to recognize and support those who display remarkable aptitude or potential in the fields of art or music. While the scholarship acknowledges exceptional proficiency, its primary objective is to contribute to the recipients' cultural enrichment. It is important to note that the scholarship is intended to enhance their overall cultural experiences and not exclusively to further their technical education in art or music.
Website
Choir
About
All BHHS choirs participate in MSVMA events such as Chamber Choir Festival, Solo & Ensemble, and Choral Festival. The five BHHS choirs are made up of the Black Hawk Singers, Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, The Jills, and Vocalise.
The Jills and Chamber Choirs are audition-based groups comprised of junior and senior students and these groups tour the community, providing music at various events. The Jills and Chamber Choirs have sung at numerous regional events, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for their Home for the Holidays program and at Greenfield Village for their Holiday Nights program.
Follow @BHHSChoirs on Twitter!
Director
Jessica Riley is an Oakland University graduate, having received a degree and teaching certificate in Music Education K-12 in 2004. She received her Master of Science in Education - Integrating Technology K-12 in 2010. Mrs. Riley began teaching in Bloomfield Hills Schools in 2005 and has worked at Bloomfield Hills Middle School, Lahser High School, East Hills Middle School, and Bloomfield Hills High School. She has been playing the piano since the age of four and has been actively involved in community theatre productions throughout Oakland County, serving as both musical director and accompanist. Having been a member of MSMVA for her tenure in the district, Jessica's students have performed at Solo & Ensemble, Chamber Choir Festival and Choral Festival many times, receiving wonderful ratings in not only performance but sight reading. Since 2013, along with many caroling gigs, Mrs. Riley, Bloomfield Chorale, and The Jills performed with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for their "Home for the Holidays" program. During the 2014 “Home for the Holidays” concerts, Jessica was fortunate enough to conduct while the students sang "Silent Night." For the past few years, Mrs. Riley has been singing with the Oakland University Symphony Chorus, performing Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana" in 2014 and Morten Lauridsen's "Lux Aeterna" in 2015; both on stage at Orchestra Hall.
PAB
Choral Boosters Board:
- DIRECTOR: Jessica Riley
- PRESIDENT: Nancy Recknagel
- VICE PRESIDENT: Megan Johnston
- SECRETARY: Beth Rubin
- TREASURER: Dina Stavropoulos
- CONCERT UNIFORMS: Jessica Rankin
- HOSPITALITY: Emily Eichenhorn & Megan Johnston
Meeting Dates:
- October 7
- November 11
- December 9
- January 13
- February 24
- March 16
- April 20
- May 11
- June 8
The Performing Arts Boosters is made up of Bloomfield Hills High School Choral and Theatre parents. We work together to support the efforts of our directors, Mrs. Jessica Riley (music) and Ms. Bogrette (theatre), and our students for performances and competition events throughout the year. Our funding and volunteer efforts enhance the choral and theatre programs. Funds raised by the Performing Arts Boosters help cover transportation costs, subsidize Solo & Ensemble fees, pay clinicians and accompanists, provide enrichment programs, and purchase vocal music and theatre equipment and supplies.
The BHHS Choral and Theatre Booster Meetings take place on the same day. Choral Boosters begins at 7:00 p.m. followed by Theatre Boosters at 7:30 p.m. Unless otherwise noted, meetings take place in the glass conference room across from the fireplace.
Website
The BHHS Choral Boosters, a dedicated group of parent volunteers, stands firmly behind the BHHS Choral Music Program, providing invaluable support to our talented vocalists. With a membership of over 130 singers across five exceptional high school choirs – Black Hawk Singers, Bloomfield Chorale, Concert Choir, The Jills, & Vocalise – our commitment to excellence is resounding.
Our Choral Boosters lend their time and efforts in various capacities:
- Assisting and Enriching: We actively contribute to the success of numerous choir activities and events throughout the year, ensuring a vibrant and engaging choral experience.
- Parent Liaison: Serving as a bridge between parents, we address inquiries, offer insights, and welcome suggestions to create a collaborative and supportive choral community.
- Wardrobe Guardians: We play a role in maintaining wardrobe standards, aiding students in the upkeep of their attire to ensure a polished presentation.
- Fundraising Champions: Through a combination of organized fundraising initiatives, membership fees, and generous donations, we bolster the transformative work of Mrs. Riley and elevate the student experience.
The funds generated by the efforts of the Bloomfield Choral Boosters have a far-reaching impact, enhancing various aspects of the choral journey:
- Enriching Experiences: We cover transportation costs, enabling students to participate in enriching off-campus experiences.
- Empowering Growth: Subsidizing Solo & Ensemble fees, we foster individual growth and skill development.
- Cultivating Excellence: We engage skilled clinicians and accompanists, ensuring our choirs continue to flourish.
- Expanding Horizons: Our support extends to encompass enrichment programs, elevating the educational experience for all.
- Equipping for Success: We invest in essential vocal music equipment and supplies, equipping our choirs for outstanding performances.
- Elevating Hospitality: We extend warm hospitality to all, hosting receptions and providing support during each concert or event.
The BHHS Choral Boosters' unwavering dedication ensures that our choirs not only reach but also surpass their artistic potential. Together, we harmonize the efforts of parents, students, and educators to create an environment where musical excellence and personal growth flourish.
