Our Robinson Rams who qualified for All District Chorus are:

Our Robinson Rams who qualified for All State Chorus are:

Mary Laun

Chloe Fortune (1^st alternate)

All-State Chorus is April 23 - 25th in Richmond

Get to know Mr. Horanski and the Robinson Chorus Program

I had a chance to sit down with Mr. Horanski to talk with him about out Chorus Program as well as his journey through music.  Mr. Horanski is so happy to be back in person with real people in the classroom!  To experience the energy and the laughter that comes from learning music together in a shared space is what Mr. Horanski most enjoys about directing a choir.  He got into music at a young age, and first realized he might have the talent for directing a choir when his high school chorus teacher asked him to lead his high school chamber choir.  

Mr. Horanski has sung in many choirs beginning with the Pittsburgh Youth Choir and the Junior Mendelssohn Choir.  As an adult, he has also sung with the Adult Mendelssohn Choir, the Bach Choir in his local community as well as college choirs. He was also a section leader in some of the choirs he has been a member of.  In addition to singing, he is involved in the leadership at the state level.  He has been president of the Virginia Choral Directors Association and is now the President-Elect of VMEA (Virginia Music Educators Association). VMEA is an organization of professional music educators across all disciplines, including band, chorus, orchestra, all the way from elementary school educators through college professors.

Some of Mr. Horanski's favorite events as a chorus teacher are Cabaret Night (see pictures below), international travel experiences with his chorus students, as well as school-based concerts.  In concerts at school, he finds it a rewarding experience because all students can shine.  Mr. H does a great job of including all voices in his concerts.  Cabaret night is especially fun because the event allows for kids to pursue their own interests in various musical styles.  

Singing in a large ensemble teaches students to work collaboratively.  Students with different skillset, backgrounds, and views can all come together to create something unique and engaging.  There are very few places where this type of collaboration manifests itself into something beautiful.  Students learn that they need to function as a group to be successful.  We are fortunate at Robinson to have a strong music program lead by Mr. Horanski, Mr. Loft, Ms. Rupert, Ms. Fitzgerald, Ms. Einuis, and Ms. Dever.  

The value of the arts cannot be denied. Music creates neural pathways in our brains.  It is something that can be enjoyed well into your 80s and 90s.  It provides balance, and joy throughout one's lifetime.  Music teaches us to overcome adversity, to work hard, and to help maintain a sense of community.  There is great benefit in learning how to work at something to perfect it.