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2026 Honors Chorus

For Middle & Upper School Singers

Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 1:00 PM (EDT) to Friday, October 16, 2026 at 4:00 PM (EDT)
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When: October 15-16, 2026
Where: Gardner-Webb University
Who:  Middle & Upper School singers
Cost: 

  • NCAIS Member School Registration Fee: $0
  • Guest School Registration Fee: $25
  • Per Student Registration Fee: $80*

*Fee Includes: Conductor, Masterclass Opportunities with University Faculty, 2 Meals, Snacks, T-shirt, Concert

The festival will include masterclasses as well as the Honors Choral final performance. Repertoire will be level 5-6 SATB for High School and level 3 for Middle School SAB,

Auditions will not be required. You as the director can select which students are dedicated and excited for an honors choral experience.

We have 100 slots for High School and 100 slots for Middle School. Each school is allowed to bring ten students in each division and, if more slots are available within a balanced ensemble, we will extend the number right after registration due dates. We ask that you bring four tenor-bass singers as you are able for the high school and three baritones for the middle school as you are able to help us balance our ensemble! 

Registration Options

Credits Price
NCAIS Member School Registration
Step 1: Use the button below to register your school and let us know that you'll be bringing students.

Step 2: Once your school is registered, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with a link to register your students ($80 per student).
FREE
Guest School Registration
Step 1: Use the button below to register your school and let us know that you'll be bringing students.

Step 2: Once your school is registered, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with a link to register your students ($80 per student).
$25.00

Joshua Cheney, a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. He is responsible for the leadership and administration of GWU Choirs, to include the direction of the Concert Choir and Reach Worship. Joshua also teaches Aural Skills, Music Survey, and courses in conducting, voice, woodwinds, and guitar.

Joshua is an active performer and has sung professionally with the North Carolina Master Chorale Chamber Choir, Bel Canto Company, Red Shift, Coro Vocati, and Blue Ridge Consort. Joshua is a regular clinician, adjudicator, and presenter, having directed honor choirs, adjudicated choral festivals, and given lectures at professional conferences throughout the United States. Previous appointments include service as the Assistant Professor of Choral Music at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, Choral Music Educator at John M. Morehead High School in Eden, North Carolina, and Choral Music Educator at Harnett Central Middle School in Angier, North Carolina. He has served in music ministry as the Interim Music Minister for the First Baptist Church of Marion, North Carolina, Interim Music Minister for the First Baptist Church of Asheville, North Carolina, and Assistant Director of Music and Worship at the First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He currently serves as a Staff Singer at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Joshua holds the B.A. in Music Education from Campbell University, the M.M. in Choral Conducting and Church Music from Mercer University, and the D.M.A. in Choral Conducting from Louisiana State University. Joshua is married to Rebekah Cheney, who serves as the Director of Annual Giving at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Joshua and Rebekah reside in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Eric Johnson is the Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Music Education for Gardner-Webb University. Prior to pursuing the Ph.D. degree in Music Education from the University of Mississippi, he was the choral director at James E. Holmes Middle School in Eden, NC, where he directed a vibrant choral program for over nine years.  With B.M. degrees from Appalachian State University in Music Education and Sacred Music Performance, as well as an M.M. degree in Music Education from the Florida State University, he is very active in the musical world as an educator, clinician, and presenter. He also holds Orff Level 1 and 2 certifications from Appalachian State University. His research interests include singer placement and spacing, singer confidence, adolescent vocal development, repertoire selection, assessment practices, and the recruitment and retention of singers. Eric also served on the executive boards for NCMEA and NC ACDA and in various capacities with children’s and church choirs. For more information please visit www.ericgrayjohnson.com.

Prelude; Ola Gjeilo (Walton Music WJMS 1093)

Ride On King Jesus; Moses Hogan (Hal Leonard HL 08753673)

Verleih uns Frieden; Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (EC Schirmer 5212 OR public domain)

Illuminate the Night; Sherry Blevins (Hinshaw Music HMC2657)

Some Nights; arr. Andy Beck (Alfred Music 00-39918) *

I am Leaving; Miriam Sonstenes (Cypress Choral Music CP 1560) - Joint Upper & Middle Schools
Coming soon

Choral Director Information Form
First, please register your School using the orange "Register Now" button above. Then, tell us more about yourself and your school by clicking the blue button below.

Choral Director Information Form - Due ???

Student Registrations and Behavior Agreement
Please use the buttons below to complete a registration form for each student who will participate ($80 per student). Please note:

  • A two-week, non-refundable policy is in place: adjustments to your student numbers cannot be made within two weeks of the event.
  • An invoice for the total cost will be emailed to your Business Office contact after the event.


Middle School Student Registration Form - Due Sept ???

Upper School Student Registration Form - Due Sept ???

Click Here to Download Student Behavior Agreement



For More Information:

Cameron Bolin
Cameron Bolin
North Carolina Association of Independent Schools
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