Oakdale High School used to have a huge choir program; their award-winning show choir was known throughout the county. A few years ago, however, the program was dissolved, and had remained inactive. Until last year, when Mrs. Jaqcueline Grimm joined the staff as choir director and music teacher, breathing new life into the abandoned choir room, inspiring many students to join the class, and bringing a new perspective to the Spring musical as a vocal instructor.
The blossoming choir has been a great experience for Grimm, a former elementary school music teacher. “It’s a very exciting change. I actually have a president, a vice president, a secretary, a choir librarian, and sectional leaders [this year]. So it’s been nice because they really have taken ownership of the choir program, and they have started helping me to plan activities within the week,” Grimm praised.
The choir president is Jeremy Capwell, a senior this year and d-wing devotee, taking multiple semesters of choir, concert band, and piano. “Becoming the choir President was something I am very proud of, though that doesn’t necessarily make everything I do an ‘easy job’. As the ‘second in command’ of the OHS Choir- my tasks range from helping learn pieces of music, help run warm-ups, encourage and care for the choir and its members.” Capwell stated.
With the increasing size of the choir program, there comes a central question, what drove people to the choir program in the first place? “I did a lot of recruiting through the musical. I also have the kids doing a lot of recruiting. A lot of them are bringing their friends along to something called a summer intensive that gave kids a taste of what choir would be like if they joined,” Grimm shared.
Grimm is also in charge of the musical theatre vocal practices at Oakdale, beginning with Chicago last spring and Godspell this fall. Though concert choir and broadway choir share their individual challenges, she sheds light on the mutual importance both sections hold with vocal health: “As an athlete conditions themselves for games and for practices, a vocalist also has to condition themselves and be fully prepared to be their best self,” Grimm explained, “but [they] also [have to] take care of themselves.” Grimm commented that both styles of singing come down to healthy habits.
In addition, Grimm is co-advisor with band director Ms. Summer Burton for the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Grimm describes the society as a place for band and choir students to earn service hours, while gaining an appreciation for the fine arts. “It’s really monitoring the students, helping to guide them in figuring out how they can get their hours, what are things that they can do to be involved,” Grimm answered. The two advisors guide members, give them jobs to do, and encourage younger students to also get musically involved.
With the interest for choir rising, Oakdale is very lucky to have Mrs. Grimm because of her passion for music. With her numerous contributions to musicals and choir performances, she can help influence students who may want to pursue a career in music.
