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2026 ACDA Southern Region Conference March 4-7, 2026 Memphis, Tennessee

George Mason University Lost Mountain Middle School

Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble Eighth Grade Chorus

The Eighth Grade Chorus comprises non-audi-
tioned singers in their third year of chorus. The cho-
rus has performed twice at the GMEA in-service con-
The Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble is the award-win- ference, the Georgia State University Mid-Sing Fest,
ning jazz vocal group of George Mason University. Georgia ACDA, and has received invitations to per-
They have performed at Blues Alley, Kansas City Jazz form at Kennesaw State University and the University
Summit; been featured with symphony orchestras and of South Carolina. The chorus has received superior
big bands; and members have performed with Ben ratings at LGPE for over twenty years at both the Class
Folds and the National Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore M and Class D levels. The choral department regularly
Symphony Orchestra, and Virginia Beach Symphony. maintains a membership of over two hundred singers.
They were awarded a DownBeat Student Music Award Lost Mountain Middle School, a Cobb County Public
for Outstanding Performance-Large Vocal Jazz Ensem- School in Kennesaw, GA, has a diverse population of
ble and Outstanding Ensemble at the Kansas City Jazz just over one thousand students.
Summit. Conference performances and presentations
include the ACDA National (Dallas), JEN (Dallas and Jay Champion has taught chorus, gener-
New Orleans), and Virginia MEA (Richmond). al music, and music technology at Lost
Mountain Middle School in Kennesaw
Darden Purcell is an Origin Records re- since 1998. Champion has a long his-
cording artist and featured soloist with tory of contributions to choral music
symphony orchestras, big bands, small education, most recently as GMEA District 12 Cho-
ensembles, and vocal educator. Purcell ral Chair, a member of the all-state chorus standing
has shared the stage with artists such as committee, and the state choral chair-elect. Champion
George Benson, Sara Bareilles, Christian McBride, earned undergraduate degrees in music education and
Branford Marsalis, Maria Schneider, as well as ensem- music composition from Louisiana State University. He
bles National Symphony Orchestra, Airmen of Note, earned his master’s and education specialist degrees
Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, Navy Commodores, Army at the University of Georgia. He has performed and
Blues, and the American Festival Pops Orchestra. She recorded with the LSU A Cappella Choir, the Moses
has performed throughout the world in prestigious ven- Hogan Chorale, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
ues. Purcell is the director of jazz studies and jazz voice Chorus and Chamber Chorus, the Orpheus Men’s En-
instructor at George Mason University. semble, and Coro Vocati.

CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5 111