SRHS Choir Program

Program Overview

The Santa Rosa High School Choirs have a strong tradition of excellence in performance and providing a high quality music education. Students that participate in the program build life-long friendships, get to travel on tour every 2 years, and have something fun and artistic to keep them invested during the regular school day. Others use this program to meet their VAPA requirements for high school and college. And those interested in pursuing music after high school as a career receive the necessary skills to do so.

Vocal Music at Santa Rosa High School is comprised of four choral groups: A Cappella, Las Choralistas, Concert Choir and Chamber Choir

SRHS has 3 choirs for the 2024 school year: A Cappella (level 1) and Concert Choir (level 2), Chamber Choir (level 3)

Each group performs at three main concerts a year as well as several other choral events locally and on tour. In contrast to other ArtQuest specialties, choirs consist of only one hour of rehearsal per day. Regardless of vocal level, all choral music classes focus on the day-to-day rehearsal process. It is a goal of the program to build musicians out of singers. This means the continuing development of music reading skills including interval recognition, rhythmic proficiency and musical vocabulary development. Creating artistry through singing, being “tuned in” to one’s own instrument and being a member of any one of the choirs can be a life-affirming and changing experience. You are warmly invited to be a part of this program.

Mission Statement and Vision

Nestled in the heart of our city, our choir is a testament to the power of music and community. As part of a historic institution with deep roots in education and the arts, our ensemble is more than just a collection of voices—it is a family bound by a shared passion for choral excellence and personal growth.

Our school has long recognized the transformative power of the arts, and the choral program has flourished under this vision. With a history spanning decades, our choir has evolved from a small, dedicated group into a thriving program that embraces singers of all backgrounds and skill levels. Today, it stands as a pillar of musical artistry, providing students with a space to develop their vocal talents while fostering an enduring appreciation for the choral tradition.

Central to our ensemble’s mission is the belief that music is a bridge—connecting people, cultures, and generations. Our choir seeks not only to perform with technical and artistic excellence but also to inspire, educate, and uplift both its members and the broader community. Through a diverse repertoire ranging from classical masterworks to contemporary compositions, we challenge our singers to explore a wide spectrum of musical expression, ensuring that they emerge as well-rounded musicians and lifelong advocates for the arts.

A hallmark of our program is its emphasis on collaboration and mentorship. Seasoned vocalists support and guide newer members, creating an environment that nurtures confidence and camaraderie. This culture of encouragement extends beyond rehearsals and performances, fostering a deep sense of belonging that lasts long after students graduate. Many of our alumni credit their experiences in the choir as foundational to their personal and professional growth, whether they pursue careers in music or other fields.

Our ensemble has had the privilege of performing at prestigious festivals, regional competitions, and community events. These opportunities not only allow our singers to showcase their hard work but also reinforce the idea that music is meant to be shared. The choir's commitment to excellence has been recognized through numerous accolades, yet the true measure of its success lies in the moments of joy and connection it creates for its members and audiences alike.

Beyond performance, our choir embraces the responsibility of service. We actively engage with our community, bringing music to those who may not have access to live performances. From school outreach programs to collaborations with local arts organizations, we seek to use our voices to make a positive impact, reinforcing the idea that music has the power to heal, unite, and inspire.

As we look to the future, our choir remains dedicated to its mission: to cultivate musicianship, foster a spirit of unity, and use the gift of song to enrich the lives of those around us. With every note sung, we honor the legacy of those who came before us while laying the foundation for generations to come.

2024-2025 Choir Slideshow

Watch this video to castch a glimpse of what our choir accomplished this year. This slideshow was made by Concert and Chamber Choir member Mary-Blakely Heuer. The background music is recordings of the choir singing this year.

SRHS Choir 2023-24 Slideshow.mp4

2023-2024 Choir Slideshow

Watch this video to catch a glimpse of what our choir year looked like - this slideshow video was made by Choir member Mary-Blakely Heuer. ENJOY!

Donate to the Choir Program

Click this button to go to the SRHS Choral Music Boosters square account to donate to the SRHS Choral Program

Meet the Director

Marla Tusa

Marla Tusa grew up in rural Canada where she developed a love of choral music at a young age. She has a Bachelor of Music from Brandon University where she majored in voice with a piano minor and a Bachelor of Education from Vancouver Island University. She has over 15 years of classroom music experience, 20 years of private piano and voice lesson experience and has directed youth and adult choirs, musical theater productions, rock bands and concert bands. Mrs. Tusa taught music at Merryhill School in Santa Rosa from 1999-2004. She spent 10 years living on Vancouver Island where she sang with The Island Consort, directed music and choir at Brechin United Church and taught K-10 music and French at Aspengrove School. Marla directed the choir and taught music at Strawberry and Yulupa Elementary Schools in Santa Rosa from 2016-2021 and began teaching Elementary music with Santa Rosa City Schools in 2019, most recently at Proctor Terrace Elementary. She directed the Training and Intermediate Groups of the Santa Rosa Children's Choral Academy from 2016-2022. Marla has sung with choirs her whole life and now sings alto with the chamber ensemble Cantiamo Sonoma. Mrs. Tusa is thrilled to be the Choir Director at Santa Rosa High School since 2021.

Mrs. Tusa's Personal Philosophies on Music Education

Music currently stands a s a sideline to the major focus of science, math, and language regardless of the studies that show how music education can improve students' whole educational experience. An increased focus on music and the arts could motivate students to learn more in other areas, and all educational encouragement avenues should be considered for the changing student. More researchers and educators are beginning to recognize music as a form of intellectual development along the same lines as Howard Gardner's multiple intelligence theory that encompasses linguistic, spatial, intra-personal, bodily-kinesthetic, logical-mathematical, inter-personal, naturalistic, musical, and possibly existential intelligences. These theoretical systems support the inclusion of music in the basic curriculum and argue that teaching music is only the first step to teaching all other subjects students must learn.

I believe music should be included in the basic curriculum for several reasons. As a topic and area of expression, music is worth learning about since it tells a lot about people and culture. Every person has the potential for musical abilities, as is evidenced in elementary classrooms, and school is the perfect place for a child to explore that possibility. By learning about music and how different voices depend on each other, students can view the interdependence of people of various backgrounds and cultures. The study of music improves other studies, especially for students who may have difficulty in some subjects. The hearing and creating of music inspires the listeners and the performers.

I have witnessed an improvement in children who participate in choral and instrumental music education and practice, not only in their musical abilities, but also in their social skills and teamwork. These music students learn about self-discipline while improving their self-esteem and enhancing their self-expression and creativity. The basic foundations of learning to sing then mastering the instrument (the voice) to sing beginner songs and eventually an advanced piece serve to instill within the child a sense of accomplishment that correlates to improved self-image and greater confidence in an ability to complete other tasks and to persevere even when those tasks appear daunting. The goal, then, of my music class is to foster a sense of purpose and self-worth in the student.

Concert Choir, April 2023

A Cappella Choir, May 2023

SRHS and ArtQuest Spring Choir Concert - SRHS Auditorium on May 5, 2023

Take a peek inside our classroom

Volunteer Drivers and Chaperones

We need your help on occasion when we sing off campus. Are you able to become a LEVEL 2 Volunteer? Follow this link to find more information about becoming a valued volunteer.

www.srcschools.org/Page/2134

SRHS/ArtQuest Choir Program Slideshow

Choir Photo Day, March 2024

Vocal Ensemble, Feb. 2022

Concert Choir, Feb. 2022

Parent sites

SANTA ROSA HIGH CHORAL MUSIC BOOSTERS

Not only does SRHS have a strong choral tradition, SRHS choral also has a strong avenue for parental involvement with its choirs – the SRHS Choral Music Boosters. The Boosters are a 501C3 Non-profit organization that exists purely to support the choir director and choirs of SRHS – in a nutshell, we participate in all manner of fundraising so that our choirs can be the best they can be! Beloved Booster fundraiser traditions previously held have been the annual Singing Valentines and the senior showcase, Dukes Place. Additionally, at each concert the Boosters have hosted bake sales and raffles. In this way, the SRHS Choirs have been able to travel to festivals and events, most recently to Carnegie Hall in 2018.

When your child becomes a member of the SRHS Choirs, no matter which level, you are automatically a member of the Boosters. However, there are specific ways to get more involved with the choral program and the Boosters throughout the school year. While all choir parents are Booster members, there is also a specific Board of Directors which guides the choir business and directs fundraising efforts. Presently, the BOD consists of parents of graduated students. Due to the pandemic and the school shutdowns of 2020, the choir and arts programs are now needing to begin building new structures given our new health and safety guidelines. We need parents of current students to join us to map out how best the SRHS Choral Music Boosters can support our new director, Marla Tusa, and the current SRHS choral program. For more information and to help, please give your email address to Ms. Tusa and we will send more information. Thank you.

Mailing address for Choral Music Boosters:

SRHS Choral Music Boosters

1235 Mendocino Ave.

Santa Rosa 95401

Showing off our new Choral Union T-Shirts for 2021-2022

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