Most choral directors work in a single building. When you teach at both the middle school and the high school — in the same district, with the same students — you stop guessing what your feeder program looks like and start building it on purpose. This session explores the vision and tools behind intentional vertical alignment: what it means to treat two separate choral programs as one connected arc, and why the results show up not just in enrollment numbers but in tone, literacy, retention, and ensemble identity. Drawing on direct experience directing choirs at both levels within the same district, this presentation gives attendees a concrete framework for building a 6–12 choral culture where every year a student spends in your program prepares them for the next one.
Target Audience
Middle School & High School Choir
Additional Notes
Clinician Info
Jared Pugh
San Dimas High & Lone Hill Middle School
Jared Pugh is a choral conductor, music educator, and performing artist. He has directed ensembles across Southern California and served as Chorus Master, Music Director, and Artistic and Executive Director for organizations spanning K–12 education, community choral arts, and faith community music. Pugh has conducted world premieres of newly commissioned choral works and performed at Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Hollywood Bowl, as well as on concert tours to Australia and Europe.
Mr. Pugh received his Master of Music in Choral Conducting from California State University, Fullerton, and his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and Music Education from California State University, Long Beach. He is currently Director of Choirs at San Dimas High School and Lone Hill Middle School in the Bonita Unified School District, where he leads five ensembles totaling more than 200 singers.