For the Love of Music

For the love of music, that’s why Megan Meyer enjoys her role as choir director at Firestone CLC, which has six different choirs. Firestone is Akron’s School for the Arts, a four-year visual and performing arts program for high school students, which combines academics and the arts.

Meyer shares her passion for music with her students. The students affectionately call her Choir Meyer, saying she makes choir fun but also makes them work hard, challenging them to be the best that they can be.

The photo to the right shows the new Firestone choir robes.

“This is my life, 19 years as a choir director (at Firestone since 2021),” said Meyer, who spent years at East before arriving at Firestone 14 years ago. “My job is to enrich my students and to help them find their voice. I wear many hats.”

From bookings and song selections to designing new robes this year, the choir schedule has 14 performances before the end of the year. One hundred students make up six vocal ensembles: Treble Choir, Bass Chorus, Advanced Treble Choir, Symphonic Choir and Madrigal Singers.

Students said they appreciate the choir director’s efforts to help them come out of their shells, hone their skills and appreciate how hard she works to make sure the program is successful.

Peston Ake, 15 and a sophomore, is in three choirs – Vocal Jazz, Symphonic and Bass Chorus. He wants to pursue music as a major in college and make a career out of singing. “I want to sing and compose my own songs, and hopefully you’ll be able to hear my songs on the radio some day, “ he said.

Senior Alicia Hotes, 17, said music is a big part of her life. She is also in three choirs -- Vocal Jazz, Symphonic and Madrigal SIngers. She is the choir president for all six choirs, the choir director’s right-hand person.

“The fun part of choir is hearing the end result, learning your part and hearing the song when it’s all put together with everyone else singing their part. The chemistry from everyone is a really good experience.”

She also plays the viola, piano and harp. This past summer she spent two weeks at Julliard studying composition. She is considering Oberlin College or Indiana University to further her music studies. She also is a soloist at Allenside Presbyterian Church.

Some of the students are in other choirs as well, outside of the school. Dean Gable, 16 and a junior, is in three choirs at school -- Vocal Jazz, Bass Chorus and Symphonic Choir -- but also belongs to the ETC-All American Youth Show Choir and sings in the Westminster Church choir.

But some of the students just love to sing as a hobby.

“Singing makes my day a little bit better,” said Aubrey Caulder, 15 and a sophomore, who takes music as an elective. “I started singing when I was little. I sang around the house and in the car a lot because we traveled for vacations and usually drove. I would sing songs on the radio, then I started taking requests.”

She admitted that those requests were pretty much one-sided because she was the one asking family members if they wanted to hear specific songs.

Senior Amaya Bryant, 17, also liked to sing as a child; but it wasn't until fifth grade when she tried out for the May Festival that she got hooked on music. Apparently, her family also recognized her talents.

“Mostly, my grandparents put me on the spot and ask me to sing songs; and sometimes they request specific songs,” she said. “But they aren’t picky; they really just want me to sing for them.”

She also helps teach younger students in her Treble Choir classes. The class gives her the opportunity to assist with choral warm-ups, help lead sectionals (small groups) and tutor students on music reading skills if needed. She said she will major in psychology with a minor in music.

The APS music scholars sing at many public events such as Akron's Holiday Tree Lighting Festival and the Akron Zoo. Also, they perform at private events, including Christmas parties and banquets.

Students who transfer to Firestone say the school has more opportunities in the arts.

Casey Renner, 17, transferred from the STEM school this year as a senior. He belonged to the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Akron Youth Symphony, but at Firestone he can get the same skills in his music classes.

Meyer, who also belongs to the Akron Symphony Chorus, says the experience there keeps her sharp; and that knowledge is passed on to her students.

“My biggest accomplishments are helping students believe in themselves, giving them a sense of belonging and creating a safe haven for them,” Meyer said. “The students feel welcome and comfortable coming to the music lab, if only to just hang out or eat lunch.”

She said for some students, music is the motivating reason that inspires them to excel in school or even come to school. Mostly, it’s their joy and passion for music.

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Under the direction of Mrs. Megan Meyer, the Firestone Choir has been preparing for a busy winter performance schedule. 

The Firestone Holiday Madrigal Feast will be taking place in the Firestone cafeteria on December 7 at 7 p.m. The Symphonic Choir, Advanced Treble Chorus and Madrigal Singers will be decking the hall and taking guests back in time to where kings and queens ruled the lands to celebrate the holiday in Renaissance style. Enjoy a traditional English feast, catered by D’agnese’s on White Pond, that will be plated and served by the talented students of the Ellet hospitality program under the direction of Rebecca Hixon. Reservations are required and can be made at firestone.booktix.com.

Other venues where the Vocal Jazz Choir and Madrigals will be celebrating the holidays with the community include:

• November 25 at 7:15 a.m. - The Madrigal Singers will be joining Ray Horner in studio to perform for WAKR’s Morning Show.
• November 29 at 6 p.m. - The Madrigal Singers will be entertaining guests at the Akron Zoo during Wild Lights.
• November 30 at 6 p.m. - The Vocal Jazz Choir will be entertaining guests at the Akron Zoo during Wild Lights. (https://www.akronzoo.org/wild-lights)
• December 1 at 10:30 a.m. - The Madrigal Singers will be providing special music for the congregation at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Massillon.
• December 3 at 6:30 p.m. - The Madrigal Singers will be caroling in the lobby of EJ Thomas Hall to welcome guests to Tuesday Musical’s Holiday Concert featuring Superstar mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and Kings Return. (https://www.akronconcertseries.org/joyce-didonato-kings-return)
• December 8 at 10:30 a.m. - The Madrigal Singers will be providing special music to the congregation at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Exchange Street in Akron.
• December 8 at 1 p.m. - The Madrigal Singers will be caroling with guests at the 44th annual EJ Thomas Christmas Arts and Crafts Show. (https://www.downtownakron.com/event/44th-annual-ej-thomas-christmas-arts-and-crafts-show)
• December 11 at 7 p.m. - Members of the Symphonic Choir will be joining the mass community choir during the Akron Bicentennial Opening Ceremony at the Akron Civic Theater. (https://akron200.org/event/opening-ceremony/)
• December 13 at 6:30 p.m. - The Madrigal Singers will be welcoming guests to the Akron Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops Concert by caroling in the lobby of EJ Thomas Hall. You will also see them joining the Orchestra Chorus during serval songs throughout the concert (https://akronsymphony.org/event/holiday-pops-2024/)
• December 14 at 1 p.m. - The Vocal Jazz Choir will be singing with Santa at BARC Dog Park on Memorial Parkway.
• December 14 at 7 p.m. - The Vocal Jazz Choir will be performing as a special guest during the ETC School of Musical Arts Holiday Show. (https://akroncivic.com/show/etc-holiday-2024-09-26-11-33-40)

Firestone Vocal Jazz

Firestone Magricals

Firestone Choir at Fall Festival