Dr. Hairston with the Perry Hall High Chamber Choir and Choir Director Carol Dissmeyer

On December 22, sweet, clear voices singing holiday songs graced the foyer of the administration building at Baltimore County Public Schools’ Greenwood campus. As joyous music resonated through the halls, staff gathered to appreciate the performance by the Perry Hall High Chamber Choir, directed by music teacher Carol Dissmeyer.

After the choir’s last song, Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston led the audience in praising the chamber choir and wishing aloud for a CD of their music.

“I invited this group to perform,” says BCPS Music Coordinator Jamie Tucker, “because they represent the school system’s overall high level of achievement in music.” In 2004, the nation’s leading music education and advocacy organizations honored Baltimore County as one of the 100 top communities in the nation for music education.

Members of the Perry Hall High Chamber Choir

Dissmeyer notes that, with seven music teachers in the school, music is an integral part of life at Perry Hall High. Eleven hundred students, about half the school’s enrollment, are in the music program.

“In 2000, we were named a Grammy Signature School,” says Dissmeyer, “which meant that we were one of the top 100 music departments in the nation.” Through a panel of top music educators and professionals, the Grammy Foundation designates Signature Schools each year in honor of their outstanding commitment to music education.

Music teacher Carol Dissmeyer accompanies the Perry Hall High Chamber Choir as they perform holiday classics.

According to Dissmeyer, the 36-member chamber choir that sang at Greenwood hosts three major concerts each year and sings annually at Franklin Square Hospital’s holiday celebrations. “In the past,” Dissmeyer adds, “we have also sung at Carnegie Hall, the Governor’s Mansion, and at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.”

With their spontaneous and heartfelt applause, BCPS staff members demonstrated their appreciation that the Perry Hall High Chamber Choir brought its considerable talent and artistry to Greenwood.

Story by Diana L. Spencer, Communications Officer. Photos by Music Office staff and Brice Freeman, Director of Communications.