Album Notes

PAXON SCHOOL FOR ADVANCED STUDIES VOCAL ENSEMBLES

Paxon School for Advanced Studies chorus has some of the finest high school ensembles in the nation. Paxon SAS, an International Baccalaureate public school currently ranked the number 15 high school in the United States by Newsweek Magazine, has a Fine Arts program that is on par with its academic college preparatory curriculum.

Paxon’s ensembles perform classical music, spirituals, contemporary gospel, pop, rhythm & blues and patriotic music, and sing in a variety of foreign languages.

The 80-voice honors chorus and its smaller component, Paxon Chorale, frequently perform at community; city and state sponsored events and received a Superior Rating at the Florida State Music Performance Assessment.

The diversity of the membership gives all the ensembles a wonderfully refreshing sound that is soulful, warm and uplifting.

The Honors Chorus received accolades at the Super Bowl XXXIX’s Salute to Black History Month at the Florida Theatre. The Chorale traveled throughout northeast Florida and southern Georgia performing the local McDonald’s “Get Moving with Ronald” eat healthy mini-musical.

Paxon Chorale recorded a CD of original children’s songs at the request of John Peyton, Jacksonville’s Mayor. This 10-song CD was given to every baby born in Jacksonville in 2007. This chorus also performed at the city’s “Teach for America” kick-off.

In addition to the Honors Chorus and Chorale, Paxon has a Men’s Chorus, Treble Chorus and Women’s Chamber Ensemble.

IB Music students participate in a vigorous college level music history, composition and performance program of study. With an extremely small class size these musicians receive hands-on instruction in music. Each student elects to “major” in instrumental or vocal music, and follow a course of study based on that major.

The Christmas song “Just in Time” was written by two IB Music students and performed by Bel Canto, IB Music’s vocal ensemble.

IB Music and the Paxon choirs are under the direction of Ms. Deborah McDuffie,
Chair of Paxon’s Fine Arts Department and Director of Choral Studies since 2001.