Published Sunday, April 22, 2012
Western Elementary student invited to attend American Boychoir School
BY JOAN DOGGRELL
Special to The Newnan Times-Herald
Marcus Jackson, a fourth grade student at Western Elementary School, has successfully auditioned for a place at the American Boychoir School in Princeton, N.J.
“We are thrilled for Marcus to have the opportunity to develop his talent at the hands of a skilled teacher and director,” said his music teacher Terrie Wells.
On March 12, ten-year-old Marcus and his family attended an American Boychoir performance at the Centre for the Performing and Visual Arts in Newnan. Afterwards, Maestro Fernando Malvar-Ruiz invited boys to audition for a part in the chorus. Encouraged by his music teacher, Marcus accepted the challenge.
“The director told him he had done well and that he had a good memory for the notes,” said Sandra Jackson, Marcus’s mother. “They gave him a certificate, and I thought that was the end of it. To my surprise, on March 20, he received an invitation to visit the school. “
The American Boychoir School accepts a diverse group of talented young men from grades 4 to 8 to receive extensive musical training along with regular academics. The choir spends a good portion of the school year on tour and has performed with famous musicians such as soprano Jessye Norman, jazz musician Wynton Marsalis, pop singer Beyonce and at Carnegie hall with Sir Paul McCartney.
“I recognized that Marcus had musical ability when he was just two years old,” said Mrs. Jackson.
Marcus is an excellent student, and on Feb. 29 he portrayed the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King in the school play. He performed in the All-Coweta Honors Chorus at the Centre in March.
“My husband Samuel and I always encourage Marcus to do his best and to strive for excellence,” said Jackson. “We tell Marcus to put God first in everything he does and he will be successful. His ambition is to become a chemical engineer.”
“We are so privileged to have a venue that attracts and supports quality entertainment such as The American BoyChoir,” said Wells. “Thanks to the masterful leadership of Don Nixon, and expertise of his assistants, Coweta County students also have the advantage of being able to perform in this wonderful atmosphere.”
