Emerson High School welcomes the new choir director, Christopher Orr, who looks forward to incorporating choir into the school’s culture.
Orr moved to the Dallas Fort Worth area and joined Emerson, excited by the opportunity to build up the choir program of a newer school.
“When I came up and visited the school, I actually just fell in love with the choir room,” Orr said.
He has taught choir at colleges, high schools, and churches, but he found that he really enjoyed his time at the high schools.
“My mother was my high school choir director, and I was really inspired by what she was able to do with a bunch of kids to turn them into some really fine musicians,” Orr said.
Orr has a deep love for choir, and he appreciates the feeling of getting to be a part of the music.
“I love the interpretation and the freedom that I get as a conductor and as a teacher to have my own spin on every piece of music,” Orr said.
Choir is starting off the year strong with multiple exciting performances already planned.
“In our second concert we have this really cool pop show that we’re doing,” Orr said.
Choir has been performing the National Anthem at football games and looking for other opportunities to perform in the surrounding community.
“I am a firm believer in the choir program being a prominent part of the school’s culture,” Orr said.
Orr has multiple goals for choir this year including reaching All States. His high expectations will encourage choir students to take their learning to the next level.
“Emerson hasn’t had an ‘All-Stater’ in any of our departments,” Orr said. “I think we have a couple of kids that can really get to the state level of the process. It’s…really hard to do, but I think we have some kids who are going to put in the effort.”
New and exciting pop concerts have already been added to the choir’s schedule, but Orr looks for ways to further build up the program in the years to come.
“Every year I’d like to add a little bit more and have everyone eased into what a full year program might look like,” Orr said.
His passion for choir will help the program along to achieving their goals throughout the year.
Orr said, “I, again, think it’s really inspiring to see people who go out to become plumbers, lawyers, electricians, doctors, and to know that they all have this love and appreciation of music and the art that I share in here.”
