A Cappella History

Choral music education has enjoyed a long, rich tradition at Jamestown High School. The J.H.S. A Cappella Choir was foundied in 1924 by Ebba H. Goranson, who directed the choir for 33 years. Donald B. Bube was the second conductor of the choir, and served as the director for 23 years. After 21 years of service, Brian A. Bogey retired as the choir's third director. Norm Lydell began his tenure in 2003 and retired in 2019. In 2020 Lauren Scharf became the fifth director of the A Cappella Choir. 

The A Cappella Choir is known as the "Choir of Cathedrals" Performances include the National Shrine Basilica in Washington D.C.; New York City's famied Saint Patrick's Cathedral and St. Peter's Lutheran Church, and St. John the Divine Cathedral (the third largest cathedral in the world), the famous Park Avenue United Methodist Church; St. Micheal's R.C. Cathedral of Toronto, Canada; St. Stephan's Cathedral in Vienna, (home of the Vienna Boys Choir); the Basilica in Innsbrook; the Cathedral in Salzburg, (where Mozart was parish musician); England's St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Cathedral and Salisbury Caltherdral; St. Anne de Beaupre and Notre Dame Basilica in Quebec City, Canada; Boston's Old North Church; Washington D.C.'s National Presbyterian Church; Chicago's Queen of All Saints Basilica and Fourth Presbyterian Church; the Baltimore Basilica and the Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church. 

The Choir has participated in master classes with Harvard University, North Park University, the University of Maryland and New York University. The choir has performed at professional sporting events and historical sites, including the steps of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C., the Holocaust Museum, the Kennedy Center, Arlington National Cemetery, and Fort McHenry (the birthplace of our National Anthem). In December 2009 the Madrigal Singers performed with recording artist Kenny Rogers and in 2014 with Jim Brickman. In February of 2014 and December of 2019 the A Cappella Choir performed at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. 

One of the most cherished traditions of the ensemble is to honor its heritage and tradition by joining with alumni every five years in performance of traditional pieces from our extensive choral repertoire. The A Cappella Choir Alumni Vespers took place in December of 2019 in celebration of the 95th Anniversary of the Chior. Over 200 singers from past choirs joined with our ensemble in performance of the traditional carols and excperts from Handel's Messiah. 

Other JHS choral ensembles include the Mixed Chorus, Men of Tomorrow, Ladies of Today adn the select Madrigal Singers.