Let’s talk about building thriving middle school choirs through authentic relationships, developing a culture of positivity, and keeping it FUN while creating monster musicians (Jacobs’ phrase in lieu of the more stuffy “independent musicianship” ) 

Meet Erik Jacobs, a choir director at Willard Middle School in Aldie, VA where he co-directs the Wildcat Chorus program which has over 400 singers in six different choirs. Prior to his current position, Jacobs was the choir director at J. Michael Lunsford Middle School in South Riding, VA. Both schools have been designated Blue Ribbon Schools of Musical Excellence consecutively by the Virginia Music Educator’s Association. Before his work in Loudoun County, Jacobs began his choral teaching career in Prince William County. Prior to becoming a choral music educator, Jacobs was an active touring musician, releasing two albums and touring with two of his own music projects: the Po’Boys Brass Band and ROC City Stompers. 

Learn more about Mr. Jacobs: 

https://www.slychorale.org/associate-artistic-director 

https://linktr.ee/erikjacobs 

https://tinyurl.com/MiddleSchoolChorus

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZxrykEoWbnI 

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**Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell