SIS’s Ladies Choir plans to transition into a new co-ed vocal ensemble, Tiger A Cappella, starting in the school year 2026-’27, introducing a contemporary a cappella format focused on pop music and vocal percussion.
The decision has been under discussion since last Fall, when several students approached the Ladies Choir director Ms. Maney with concerns about the pre-existing choir system. These conversations eventually developed into a discourse between the Performing Arts department and the Leadership Team about potential changes to the program. At the heart of these discussions was students’ desire for equal opportunity to pursue music.
“The main reason was the inequity, or the unfair requirement, between the men and the women [in] Ambassadors,” Mary Kate Maney, choir director, said. “Male students participated through a club, [while] women had to take Ladies Choir as a class. There were very different time requirements and outcomes as far as one earning course credit and one just being a student club. There were members that I think did have issues with that, and we have heard from them.”
The transition to a co-ed ensemble would create new opportunities for students who previously had limited access to choir participation. Male students interested in vocal performance can now enroll in a formal after-school choir course for the first time.
“Before, the only option for guys was Men’s Choir, which was just a club and did not count as a class,” Sungjoon Hur (11), a student interested in Tiger A Cappella, said. “Although the club was fun, it sometimes felt like the system favored girls a little. Now, I am happy that I can pursue my passion [for] singing in a more official group, with the experience actually showing up on my transcript.”
In addition to becoming co-ed, the course will also shift its musical direction. Instead of focusing on traditional choral repertoire, the new ensemble will center on a cappella, a style of performance that relies entirely on voices with no musical instruments.
“I think this Tiger A Cappella, or the Contemporary Vocal Ensemble, will offer students a chance to explore a genre in depth,” Ms. Maney said. “They are going to get a chance to work on pop music, but in a very niche style, which is called a cappella. There s one soloist, a backup, and a beatboxer.”
Eager to step out of their comfort zones, students have also expressed interest in the flexibility that the new format offers, given that all three music courses in the school’s curriculum have centered on traditional choir style.
“I have been singing for quite a long time, and most choirs here focus more on traditional arrangements,” Michael Byun (11), Drama and Concert Choir student, said. “I am excited to join the new course because we can experiment more with modern music and different vocal roles. It feels more dynamic and creative.”
For existing members of the Ladies Choir, the course change brings a mix of uncertainty and excitement. As many members have been part of the Ladies Choir since freshman year, the change may feel sudden. In fact, they expressed different concerns, from the dynamic shift the new class brings to the impact of the course change on their transcripts.
“When I first heard the news, I was quite anxious that the new course would be audition-based,” Serena Lim (11), Ladies Choir student, said. “Although I was relieved that there is only going to be a voice check, it still feels like a great shift because it changes the whole identity of the group. But at the same time, the a cappella format could help us improve our vocal skills since everything depends on our voices.”
Indeed, the Tiger A Cappella aims to harmonize the student body’s diverse talents into a more inclusive, modern musical setting. As the 2026-‘27 school year approaches, students and staff alike are eager to hear the new voices that will shape the future of SIS’s performing arts.
