Alex Knuth ’13 | Associate Editor

Starting off on a high note, Choir Director Christopher Pratt hopes to live up to the 27 year legacy left to him by the recently retired Ellen Bowen.

Announced officially at an August 3 School Board meeting, Pratt replaced Bowen and started right away, organizing the summer workshop the third week in August.

“The Choir Boosters are very positive about the future of choir,” said Choir Booster Co-President Jennifer Flanagan. “Mr. Pratt has told us that he’s going to be building on the program Ellen has been growing for the past 27 years.”

Moving to South from Center Grove High School in Indiana, Pratt said he’s looking forward to improving his already impressive resume. Over the 11 years he spent directing five choirs at Center Grove, Pratt won over 115 Grand Champion titles and eight straight national titles.

“I have in mind a vision that I would like to create with our students, parents and community,” said Pratt. “What I’ve done in the past is what I anticipate adapting and doing in Grosse Pointe.”

Grosse Pointe provided an ideal location for an already accomplished director, Pratt said.

“I was ready for something different,” said Pratt. “I felt comfortable with the (Grosse Pointe) parents and administration. Their support is key in making a good program.”

Pratt was chosen by a committee of Choir Boosters and School Board members from three finalists, Flanagan said. Each candidate worked with a group of 42 students for about 15 minutes.

Students who did not participate in the interviews were able to join Pratt at a meet-and-greet on August 16, Ali Gabrion ’13 said.

“He’s very student-centered and dynamic,” said Flanagan. “He was very friendly and interested in our students succeeding not only in choir, but also in their academics.”

Although not much will change drastically for the choir, Pratt said he intends to reintroduce the Pointe Singers to competition after several years removed.

“Change can be good, and it’s going to be bumpy along the way, but he wants to stick to our traditions,” said Flanagan. “He’s going to build on the choir program we have and add some interesting things we haven’t been able to experience yet; he’s not coming in and rearranging everything.”

Like any extracurricular or sport, choir can be time consuming, Pratt said. However, he emphasizes that rehearsals will be shorter than in years past.

“In my choir are student-performers,” said Pratt. “We do a lot to make sure our students aren’t overwhelmed. Their academics should be just as excellent as their performances.”

Another Meet-and-Greet with Pratt will be hosted by the choir at the Grosse Pointe Park Tompkins Center at 6 p.m. on Thursday, according to gpsouthchoir.org.

“There are a lot of good things going for us,” said Pratt. “Clearly the community loves the choirs.”