Participants

About:

The Great Oak Jazz Ensembles enter their 20th year anniversary under the Direction of Jerry Burdick-Rutz. The ensembles have been honored to host several well known artists including Sherry Williams; Kornel Fakete-Kovacs; Delfeayo Marsalis; and most recently Derek Brown (aka Beatbox Sax). The Jazz Ensembles under the moniker “Soul Tree”, have performed on stage in the American Cathedral in Paris and Cadogan Hall in London.

About the Director:

Mr. Burdick-Rutz enters his 20th year as Director of Music at Great Oak H.S. He earned his masters Degree from the University of New Mexico & his Bachelors of Music from Michigan State University. At MSU, he was the Drum Major of the Spartan Marching Band, and was Drum Major of the 1993 World Champion Cadets of Bergen County Drum & Bugle Corps.

Social Media: 

Website: SpiritofGreatOak

Facebook: SpiritofGreatOak

Youtube: SpiritofGreatOak

About:

The Vestavia Hills High School Choral Department is located just south of Birmingham, Alabama in the suburb of Vestavia Hills. The Choral Department, under the direction of Taylor Stricklin and Noah Burns, consists of eight choirs. These choirs meet daily and consistently work to develop proper vocal techniques, music theory skills, sight-reading skills, leadership, and community through ensemble singing.

The Vestavia Hills High School Choral Department has performed in many locations within the United States including New York City, New York; Orlando, Florida; and Kansas City, Missouri. The choir is very excited to performing internationally for the first time!

About the Directors:

Taylor Stricklin is the Choral Director at Vestavia Hills High School. Mr. Stricklin is a native of Birmingham, Alabama. He earned his Bachelor of Choral Music Education degree from Samford University. In the spring of 2020, he graduated with a Masters in Music in Choral Conducting from Louisiana State University. Prior to Graduate in his studies Mr. Stricklin taught choral music at Dauphine Junior High School and at Enterprise High School in Enterprise, Alabama. He currently sings in several professional ensembles around the southeast and serves as the Assistant Conductor of Iron City Singers, a community choir in Birmingham.

Noah Burns, is the Assistant Choral Director at Vestavia Hills High School. Mr. Burns received his undergraduate degree in Music Education from the University of Alabama. While at Alabama, he served as a student conductor of the Chamber Choir and founded Tune In, a co-ed 16-member a cappella ensemble at UA.

Social Media:

Website: www.vestavia.com

Facebook: vestaviahillschoir

Instagram: vestaviahillschoir