Briarcrest Christian School

The Briarcrest Department of Vocal Music strives to bring out the very best in every student in our program.

Through hard work, discipline, commitment and extremely high musical expectations, students not only experience incredible music from various genres and time periods, but also learn transformative life skills. We prepare our students for successful, Christ-centered families, relationships, and careers-- even if they are not in the field of music.

We are very proud of and humbled by the accomplishments of our students and ensembles. Our choirs consistently earn 1st place, Sweepstakes, and Superior ratings at local, regional, and national festivals. Our students regularly represent us at the Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts, National GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles, National Talent searches, Tennessee All-West and All-State Choirs, and in professional stage productions. They have recorded albums in Los Angeles, Memphis, and Nashville, performed with GRAMMY award-winning artists, and received numerous scholarships to study music at top-ranked colleges and universities.

Our internationally acclaimed a cappella group OneVoice has performed at the EMMYs, has appeared on America’s Got Talent, and has had their music streamed and downloaded over 100 million times since 2010.

Extracurricular offerings include voice, piano, and guitar lessons, an Elementary Choir, the Saintly Singers, fully-staged musicals with orchestra, solo performing and recording opportunities, and All-West and All-State choirs. Click on Ensembles to see our curricular offerings.

Our older singers use iPads at a 1-1 ratio for sheet music, real-time individual assessment, music theory, and more. This groundbreaking pilot program enables our singers to reach their highest potential.

To enrich the minds and perspectives of students, the Department of Vocal Music tours regionally and internationally. We have performed with an orchestra on stage at Carnegie Hall in New York; concert halls in Chicago, Toronto, Los Angeles, and San Francisco and cathedrals in Italy, France, Switzerland, England and Spain.

While we are constantly refining our performance opportunities and looking for new ways to expose our students to inspirational and worthwhile music, we always have the following concerts: Fall Concert, Christmas Celebration with Symphony Orchestra, Spring Concert, and Briarcrest Pops.

We are confident that our program provides the best vocal music education possible in the Mid-South. If you are interested in our program, we would love for you to visit, come to a concert, or get in touch with us. For more information, please contact J.D. Frizzell at 901-751-6411 or jdfrizzell@briarcrest.com.

Briarcrest Voice Ensembles

AP Music Theory

AP Music Theory is offered to give students a more thorough understanding of the music they are busy creating with us. At the end of the year, students take the AP exam and can earn up to a year's worth of college credit in music theory. This academically rigorous class is open to students in grades 10, 11 and 12 alter a successful course application process.

Contact

List of 3 members.

J.D. Frizzell

Fine Arts Director

901-751-6428

Bio
J.D. Frizzell, a composer, conductor and baritone, is the Director of Fine Arts and Director of Vocal Music at Briarcrest. He earned double Master’s in Music Theory/Composition and Conducting from The University of Southern Mississippi, where he also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music History and Literature. He is currently a candidate for a Doctorate of Musical Arts Degree in Conducting at The University of Kentucky.

As the Director of the Fine Arts department, Mr. Frizzell is responsible for coordinating all Fine Arts programs (K2-12th grade). He also serves as an advocate and school liaison for all of our outstanding visual, musical and dramatic arts at Briarcrest. As the Director of Vocal Music, he teaches the Honors Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, and OneVoice.

Mr. Frizzell, winner of the 2007 Intégrales Composition Contest, has had best-selling works published throughout the world by many major companies. In 2011, the board of the Tennessee Music Educators Association named him the Outstanding Young Music Educator of the Year. He was also awarded the Dr. Clair E. Cox Award for Teacher Excellence. In 2013, he was named one of Memphis’ Finest Young Professionals by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for his philanthropic efforts. He also volunteers as the President of the A Cappella Education Association.
Liz Parsons

Fine Arts Assistant

901-751-6428

Bio
Elizabeth Parsons serves as the Vocal Music Assistant Director and the Assistant to the Fine Arts Director. Liz received her Bachelor’s degree in piano performance from the University of Memphis. After graduating in 2002, Liz then served as the staff accompanist for the choral department at the University of Memphis until 2012. She has a strong background in collaborative piano and has accompanied many vocalists and instrumentalists in various performances on the collegiate level and also professional level, as well as accompanying numerous choirs throughout the city. Currently, Liz is the accompanist for the Memphis Symphony Chorus, playing for all rehearsals and assisting in leading rehearsals.

In addition to her responsibilities with the choirs at Briarcrest, Liz teaches private lessons through the conservatory. As a collaborative pianist and teacher, Liz’s passion is accompanying and enabling other musicians to make music to the best of his/her ability.
Justin Pepper

Choir Teacher/Conservatory

901-765-4628

Bio
Justin Pepper joined the staff of Briarcrest Christian School in 2002 as a Vocal Music Instructor. He has been involved with both the Middle School and High School, but now all of his time is specifically devoted to the Briarcrest Middle School Chorale and acts as the director of the Briarcrest Fine Arts Conservatory.

He graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music Education from The University of Mississippi. Justin continued his work at the University to complete his Master’s degree in Music with emphasis in conducting and music education. Since moving to Memphis, Justin has been involved with the Memphis Symphony Chorus, Second Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir and Laudis Domini, and is the co-director of the Memphis Children’s Choir. Justin Is married to Anna and they have a son named Wilson.

He is a member of MENC, American Choral Directors Association, Tennessee Music Educators Association, and West Tennessee Vocal Music Educators Association.

Briarcrest Vocal Ensembles

The Briarcrest Christian School Vocal Music Department strives to provide Elementary, Middle and High School students with a medium of musical expression.

High School students may participate in the auditioned OneVoice a cappella ensemble, Advanced Women's Choir, Honors Concert Choir, or the unauditioned Concert Choir. They may also audition for the High School Musical.

Middle School students may participate in the Middle School graded choir program and may audition for the Middle School Spring Musical. The Middle School Vocal Music Department also has auditions each year for the Middle School Select Ensemble.

Briarcrest Elementary students have a unique opportunity to participate in a very special music program. We have a vocal music program that all can join - Saintly Singers. This serves 3-5^th grade. Saintly Singers Jr. is offered for 1^stand 2^nd graders. Our auditioned program is Saintly Singers Select for the more advanced vocal music students.

Middle and High School students also participate in events sanctioned by the West Tennessee Vocal Music Educators Association, including All-Southwest Honor Choir, All-State Choir, Choral Festival, and Solo and Ensemble.

List of 10 items.

Advanced Women's Choir

The Honors Advanced Womens Choir is a high level ensemble committed to choral excellence. They have performed at music conventions and recorded a professional album.
Read More
OneVoice

SONY Recording Artist OneVoice is among the finest high school contemporary
a cappella groups in the world. Visit the official OneVoice website
Read More
Honors Chamber Choir

Honors Chamber Choir is an award-winning advanced ensemble that rehearses daily. Classroom assistants and section leaders help maintain a consistent atmosphere of professionalism and excellence.
Read More
Concert Choir

Our course offerings reflect a diverse, dynamic, and comprehensive musical education. Concert Choir is a beginning to intermediate level ensemble that rehearses once each day.
Read More
Middle School Select Ensemble

Middle School Select Ensemble is an audition-only vocal ensemble at Briarcrest. It consist of approximately 9 -12 members both male and female.
Read More
Sixth Grade Choir

The Sixth Grade Choir is a year-long ensemble open to all sixth grade students at Briarcrest. The class meets during the school day and regularly performs and participates in during- and after-school activities and concerts.
Read More
Middle School Chorale

The sixth through the eighth grade are critical years in the musical development of students. The music they perform or study often becomes an integral part of their personal musical repertoire.
Read More
Saintly Singers Select

Saintly Singer Select is a smaller ensemble of 24 for students in grades 4 and 5 by audition only. This group delves more deeply into their musical training, and also serves as a praise team that leads worship with the student body during chapels. Many of these students are also selected through auditions for regional and state honor choir.
Saintly Singers

Saintly Singers is a continuation and more advanced choir for students in grades 3, 4 and 5. More advanced musical concepts and more difficult repertoire are introdued, as well as a more strenuous performance schedule.
Saintly Singers, Jr.

Saintly Singers, Jr. is a development choir for students in grades 1 and 2 which focuses on ensemble singing, developmental singing techniques and worship through music.

Awards

List of 11 items.

2019-2020 Choir Awards and Recognition

In 2019-2020, Briarcrest has 11 high school students make All-State Honor Choir, the most of any public or private school.

Briarcrest had 40 middle and high school students who also made the All-southwest Tennessee Honor Choirs, the most of any publicor private school in the area and a Briarcrest school record!

OneVoice won the Contemporary a Cappella Recording Awards for Best High School Album in 2019-2020.
Read More
2018-2019 Choir Awards and Recognition

29 - 7^th-12^th graders made All-Southwest TN Honor Choirs, the most of any private school.
OneVoice performed at the 70^th Annual EMMY Awards
Middle School Chorale won Overall Winner at Music in the Parks, St. Louis
11 high school students made All State Honor Choir, a school record

Read More
2017-2018 Choir Awards and Recognition

11 All State Choir Students, A Briarcrest Record

OneVoice Hit 100 million streams and downloads worldwide

29 Students Made All Southwest Honor Choir

8 Students Participated in University of Memphis Honor Choir

OneVoice received multiple CARA nominations for “Giants”
Read More
2016-2017 Choir Awards and Recognition

24 students auditioned and were selected for WTGMEA Festival Choir
Seven students for Tennessee Treble Choir
19 students for All-Southwest Junior High Honor Choir
15 students for All-Southwest Senior High Honor Choir
Three students for All-State Choir
Read More
2015-2016 Choir Awards and Recognition

11 students auditioned and were selected for WTGMEA Festival Choir
Five students for All-Southwest Junior High Honor Choir
16 students for All-Southwest Senior High Honor Choir
Three students for All-State Honor Choir
Read More
2014-2015 Choir Awards and Recognition

21 10-12 grade students auditioned for and made the WTVMEA All-Southwest Sr. HS Honor Choir, the most of any private school in the state.

9 7-9 grade students auditioned for and made the WTVMEA All-Southwest Jr. HS Honor Choir.

17 5-6 grade students auditioned for and were selected to the TN Treble Honor Choir and the West TN Festival Choir.

OneVoice featured performers at National A Cappella Convention, became SONY Recording Artists with inclusion on Elvis A Cappella project.

OneVoice won 2 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards for Best High School Album (Drive All Night) and Best High School Solo (Hannah Gray- Gravity).
2013-2014 Choir Awards and Recognition

39 Briarcrest 7-12 grade students auditioned for and made the WTVMEA All-Southwest Honor Choirs, the most of any private school in the state and a school record.

8 Briarcrest HS students auditioned for and made the TN All-State Honor Choirs, the most of any private school in the state and a school record.

12 Briarcrest 5-6 grade students auditioned for and were selected to the TN Treble Honor Choir

Briarcrest HS Choir program ranked #2 Choir Program in the State based on average score at ACDA State Choral Festival. Ranked #1 in West TN.

OneVoice selected for featured performance at Kettering National HS A Cappella Festival, receieved standing ovation from Pentatonix.

Advanced Women's Choir presented the American Premiere of John Tavener's "The Bridegroom" in an international tour with string quartet.
2012-2013 Choir Awards and Recognition

37 Briarcrest Students auditioned for and made the WTVMEA All-Southwest Honor Choirs, the most of any private school in the state.

5 students auditioned for and made the TMEA All-State Honor Choirs.

Briarcrest HS Choir program ranked #2 Choir Program in the State based on average score at ACDA State Choral Festival. Ranked #1 in West TN.

Briarcrest Advanced Women's Choir chosen by blind audition to perform a featured concert at the Tennessee Music Educators Association Conference.

OneVoice's album "Here to Stay" called "Nothing short of extraordinary" by the Recorded A Cappella Review Board.

OneVoice's album "Here To Stay" nominated for Best HS Album, "Just A Dream" nominated for Best HS Song, and "Here To Stay" nominated for Best Scholastic Original Song in the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards.
2011-2012 Choir Awards and Recognition

Briarcrest Choir Program Ranked #1 Choir Program in the State of TN based on average score at ACDA State Choral Festival.

30 Briarcrest students auditioned for and made the WTVMEA All-Southwest Honor Choirs, the most of any private school in the region.

7 Briarcrest students auditioned for and made the TMEA All-State Honor Choirs, the most of any private school in the state.

Briarcrest OneVoice awarded 1st place in the International Competition of High School A Cappella Wild Card round, thereby qualifying as a top 10 HS a cappella group in the nation. They competed in National Finals in New York City.

Chamber Choir- Superior Rating at WTVMEA Regional Festival.

Women's Choir- Superior Rating and Sweepstakes Award at WTVMEA Regional Festival.

Chicago Heritage Invitational Festival-
Briarcrest Choirs- Overall choral division champions
Briarcrest Music Department- Festival Grand Champions (shared with band)

OneVoice album "Another Level" called, "One of the best HS releases of all time..a wonderful recording achievement" by the Recorded A Cappella Review Board.
2010-2011 Choir Awards and Recognition

ACDA State-Wide Choral Festival- All Choirs Superior Ratings, Ranked in Top 5 Choir Programs in the State of TN, 2nd place private school

All Sweepstakes and Superior Ratings at District Choral Festival.

Performed featured concerts in La Madeliene in Paris, France , Le Chateau de Chillon in Montreux, Switzerland, and Engleberg Monestary in Engelberg, Switzerland.
OneVoice performed a concert with GRAMMY Award winning Jazz group "New York Voices".

Students selected for TN Governor's School for the Arts, National GRAMMY Ensembles, All-State, and All-West.

Highest percentage of students in the state of TN to make All-State choir.
2009-2010 Choir Awards and Recognition

WTVMEA District Choral Festival- All Choirs Superior Ratings, Sweepstakes Awards for Men's, Women's, and Briarcrest Singers

ACDA State-Wide Choral Festival- All Choirs Superior Ratings, Ranked in Top 5 Choir Programs in the State of TN

Southern Star Music Festival, Atlanta, GA- Gold Awards for Women's, Briarcrest Singers, OneVoice. Women's Choir won the Sweepstakes for the whole event.
Southern Invitational Choral Conference- Briarcrest Singers Selected as a featured performer.

Students selected for National GRAMMY Jazz Ensemble, All-State Choir, All-West Choir, and Governor's School for the Arts

Sponsorship

The Briarcrest Vocal Music Department and OneVoice thank our generous sponsors for their support. If you are interested in becoming a OneVoice corporate sponsor, please contact J.D. Frizzell at (901) 751-6411 or jdfrizzell@briarcrest.com

Special Thanks to :
Monte Stewart Wardrobe Management and Design