Darby Choir
The Programs
Honors Choir 400 — Symphonic Choir is an advanced mixed choral ensemble for students selected by audition. Students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in music-reading and solfège. The ensemble explores repertoire from classical, sacred, folk, and contemporary traditions while developing advanced vocal, musical, and ensemble skills.
The course includes several co-curricular events, including concerts, OMEA adjudicated events, conventions, clinics, and a choir retreat.
Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor is Required / Audition Required
Choir 300– Chorale is an advanced treble choir for students selected by audition. Students are expected to demonstrate an understanding music literacy and solfège. During the year, this group presents choral concerts which consist of music drawn from classical, sacred, and popular fields.
The course includes several co-curricular events, including concerts, OMEA adjudicated events, conventions, and clinics.
Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor is Required / Audition Required
Concert Choir Tenor is open to all tenor and bass students who are interested in singing and performing.
The course includes one or two quarterly co-curricular events, including concerts, OMEA adjudicated events, and alternative performance opportunities.
This course focuses on developing a healthy vocal technique as well as foundational music literacy skills.
Prerequisites: None, but prior experience at the middle school or in another performing ensemble is helpful.
Concert Choir Soprano is open to all treble students who are interested in singing and performing.
The course includes one or two quarterly co-curricular events, including concerts, OMEA adjudicated events, and alternative performance opportunities.
This course focuses on developing a healthy vocal technique as well as foundational music literacy skills.
Pre-Requisites: None, but prior experience at the middle school or in another performing ensemble is helpful.
Polyphonix is a select small choir. Members are selected through an after-school audition. Students must demonstrate proficiency in reading music.
Polyphonix performs a wide variety of literature ranging from Renaissance to contemporary pop a cappella. Polyphonix has a rigorous schedule consisting of in-school performances/ concerts, community performances, and possible conventions, clinics, and competitions. Polyphonix requires after school rehearsal and performance commitments.
Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor is Required / Audition Required
Music theory and history are taught within the same Music Theory course sequence. The descriptions that follow are taken from the Hilliard City Schools High School Programs of Studies.
Music Theory 1/Music History 1: The course of study for theory includes music construction, arranging, ear training, sight singing, and conducting. The course of study for history (taught simultaneously in the same course) aims to present music as an art and a science. Music History 1 is a study of the progress of music through the ages. In this course, music studied will be from the Baroque, Romantic, and Classical music periods. Students who may continue in music are encouraged to take the Music Theory/History 1 course.
Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor is Required
Music Theory 2/Music History 2: Music Theory 2 is a continuation of Music Theory 1 and includes further study in music construction, instrumental and choral arranging, ear training, sight singing, and conducting. The Music History 2 coursework focuses on the study of music history from the Romantic period (1820) to the present. The format of the course would allow for more individual instruction during the second semester.
Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor is Required
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Our Staff
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Mr. Jace Nguyen, a Central Ohio native, earned his Bachelor of Music summa cum laude in Vocal Music Education from Capital University’s Conservatory of Music. His ensembles have earned more than 30 superior ratings at OMEA-adjudicated events, and he is an active choral arranger, performer, and member of ACDA and NAfME. He has sung with ensembles including the Major 7 Singers and Columbus Choral Artists, performed in musical theater throughout Central Ohio, and produces choral demos and tracks with his wife for local publishing companies. At Darby, he is committed to building technically accomplished singers within a supportive, community-grounded ensemble.
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Assistant Director of Choral Activities at Hilliard Darby High School. She graduated summa cum laude from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Music Education and Theatre minor. She received her Master of Music Education degree from the internationally renowned University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
Mrs. Sterman-Wilson is the conductor of the Darby Treble Chorus, Chorale, and Bella Voce, and she is the assistant conductor for Symphonic Choir, Concert Choir, and Polyphonix.
The Hilliard Darby Choirs
Under the direction of Mr. Jace Nguyen and Mrs. Hannah Sterman-Wilson, the Hilliard Darby Choirs build on a tradition established by founder Dr. Michael Martin in 1996. Across eight ensembles, the program is committed to developing accomplished singers while creating a supportive, community-grounded experience for every student.
Students in the Darby Choir Program have opportunities to perform in a wide variety of settings, both locally and nationally. Choirs have toured throughout the United States and Europe, performing at venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. The choirs have also been featured at 10 Ohio Music Education Association and three American Choral Directors Association conventions and have worked with distinguished conductors and clinicians from across the country.
In 2026, the program was recognized as a National Finalist for The American Prize in Choral Performance, following similar recognition in 2020. These opportunities and accolades are made possible through the work of our students, faculty, and families.