North Hills Choir & Drama
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NORTH HILLS CHOIR & DRAMA

This site provides information and updates for students, parents,
​and friends of the choral ensembles and dramatic productions
in the North Hills School District.

"Alice by Heart" wins Gene Kelly Awards

5/26/2025

 
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Congratulations to everyone involved in the 2025 North Hills High School spring musical production of "Alice by Heart" on winning 6 Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater!
  • Outstanding Scenic Design
  • Outstanding Costume Design
  • Outstanding Lighting Design
  • Outstanding Vocal Ensemble
  • Outstanding Crew/Technical Execution
  • Outstanding Musical
As an Outstanding Musical nominee, the cast was given the opportunity to perform a selection during the awards ceremony on the Benedum stage.  Additional nominations North Hills received included Outstanding Supporting Actress: Faith Evans, Outstanding All-Student Orchestra, and Outstanding Dance Ensemble.

Middle School High Note Festival

5/24/2025

 
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Members of the middle school’s 8th Grade Band, Wind Ensemble, 8th Grade Orchestra, and Concert Choir performed for judges at the High Note Festival held at the Mary Pappert School of Music on Duquesne University’s campus on May 23.

All four ensembles earned a Superior rating and high praise from the adjudicators, who spent several minutes providing feedback to the students immediately following their performances. As part of the festival experience, students were given the opportunity to spend the afternoon at Kennywood Park. 

​Music teachers accompanying the students to the festival include band directors Lucas Beaver and Tom Hartwell, choral director Shaun Cloonan, orchestra directors Allie Craig and Nick Vranesevic, and music teacher Matt Hickly. 

Ohio Music Performance Tour 2025

5/20/2025

 
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North Hills High School music students traveled to Ohio on May 17-19 for their annual performance tour during which they competed in the Music in the Parks festival at Sandusky Intermediate School and Sandusky High School. 

The annual music department tour serves as a culminating experience for our students and teachers by providing feedback that drives future instruction and learning.

Over 250 students from the bands, choirs and orchestras performed for each other, attended the awards ceremony at Cedar Point, spent another full day in the park with some beach time on Lake Erie, then visited the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame before returning home.

A total of 10 North Hills ensembles took part in the adjudication festival, which included students from 19 schools spanning four states.

North Hills ensembles earned ratings and ranks as follows:
  • Marching Band - Superior/1st Place
  • Jazz Band - Superior/1st Place
  • Wind Symphony - Superior/1st Place
  • Symphonic Concert Band - Superior/2nd Place
  • Wind Ensemble - Superior/1st Place
  • Chamber Orchestra - Superior/2nd Place
  • String Orchestra - Excellent/1st Place
  • Chorale - Superior/1st Place
  • Symphonic Choir - Superior/3rd Place
  • North Hills Singers - Superior/1st Place
(Wind Symphony & Symphonic Concert Band and Symphonic Choir & North Hills Singers competed against each other in their respective categories)
  • Best Overall Jazz Band - Jazz Band
  • Best Overall Concert Band - Wind Ensemble
  • Best Overall Parade Band - Marching Band
  • Best Overall Jazz Soloist - Aidan Allen, trombone

Along with around two dozen volunteer chaperones, nurses and band staff, North Hills music teachers accompanying the students included band directors Len Lavelle, Lucas Beaver, and Tom Hartwell, choral director Shaun Cloonan, orchestra directors Nick Vranesevic and Allie Craig, middle/high school music teacher Matt Hickly, and elementary music teacher Maura Rushlander.

​Congratulations to our students!

Senior Choir Banquet

5/11/2025

 
The Choral Parents Association is excited to celebrate our 31 choir seniors at our annual banquet on Wednesday, May 21 at 6:30pm in the High School Cafeteria.  The catered dinner is open to all choir families.  After the dinner, a slide show honoring all of the seniors and their time in the program will take place, and each senior will be recognized individually.  Please click on the store links below to reserve your space at the banquet!

Admission to the Banquet is as follows:
Adults: $15
Students: $7.50
Choir Seniors: Free

Senior Banquet

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"Alice by Heart" receives Gene Kelly Nominations

5/7/2025

 
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The North Hills High School Drama Club received nine Gene Kelly Award nominations for its spring musical “Alice by Heart” including Outstanding Musical.

North Hills senior Faith Evans was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her role as Tabatha and the Cheshire Cat.

Other nominations include:
  • Outstanding Student Orchestra
  • Outstanding Crew/Technical Execution
  • Outstanding Dance Ensemble
  • Outstanding Vocal Ensemble
  • Outstanding Lighting Design
  • Outstanding Costume Design
  • Outstanding Scenic Design

​The Gene Kelly Awards were launched in 1991 as a means to recognize excellence in high school musical theater.

Over the past three months, a panel of adjudicators – including educators, administrators, and industry professionals – attended performances at 34 high schools across Allegheny County. Final scoring was tabulated by Deloitte LLP, official auditor of the Gene Kelly Awards. The nominees were announced Wednesday.

The 2025 Gene Kelly Awards will be held on Saturday, May 24 at the Benedum Center, featuring group performances by the students from the participating schools and medleys from the nominees for Outstanding Actor and Actress.

In addition to the more than 34 awards, several cash and university scholarships will be presented.
Congratulations to all!
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North Hills Choral Music & Drama Programs | North Hills High School | 53 Rochester Road | Pittsburgh, PA 15229 | 412.318.1000
  • Home
    • About >
      • Music Department
      • Choral Program
      • Drama Program
      • Instrumental Music Site
      • Music Dept on NHSD Site
      • Social Media
  • CHOIR
    • High School Choirs >
      • Welcome Back Choir
      • Symphonic Choir
      • Chorale
      • North Hills Singers
      • PMEA Festivals
      • Madrigal Choir
      • Cabaret Night
    • Middle School Choirs >
      • 6th Grade Chorus
      • 7th Grade Chorus
      • 8th Grade Chorus
      • Concert Choir
    • Children's Choir >
      • Children's Choir Registration
  • DRAMA
    • High School Drama Club >
      • 2024 One Act Plays
      • 2025: Alice by Heart
      • International Thespian Society
      • Past Events >
        • 2024: Putnam
        • 2023 One Act Plays
        • 2023 Spring Musical
        • 2022 Fall One Act Plays
        • 2022: Once Upon a Mattress
        • 2021: Fall One Act Plays
    • Middle School Drama Club >
      • 2025: Seussical Jr
      • MS Workshop
      • Past Musicals >
        • 2024: SpongeBob
        • 2023 Winter Musical
        • 2022 Winter Musical
    • Elementary Drama Camp
  • PARENTS
    • Choral Parents >
      • NHCPA LinkTree
      • Announcements
    • Drama Parents
  • CALENDARS
    • HS Choir Calendar
    • HS Drama Calendar
    • MS Drama Calendar
  • Forms