Music unites us. That fact is the driving force and life mission, in her own words, of Carolyn Gross, Choral Director of Grosse Pointe South High School.
“Music brings everyone together,” Carolyn points out. “Grosse Pointe South Choir is a bridge between generations, from very young children to their grandparents sitting next to them at concerts."
“Whether you love the Great American Song Book “Stairway to Paradise” from George Gershwin, or “Sparklejollytwinklejingley” from Elf: The Musical, South Choir brings people together.”
She has dedicated her career to teaching music, serving Grosse Pointe Public Schools for 29 years, most recently as Choral Director at Grosse Pointe South. She has worked tirelessly to rebuild the program after COVID-19, taking over a program that had 57 students in fall of 2023 and bringing it up to 100 students currently with three full choirs singing in soprano, alto, tenor and bass. Carolyn has focused on restoring Grosse Pointe South’s very rich tradition (there were 130+ students at its height), which continues to be a great source of community pride.
Grosse Pointe South Choir is one of the most successful choral programs in Michigan. The group has earned highest ratings and has been featured at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival. They are four-time national show choir champions, most recently in 2019 (under the leadership of then-Director Christopher Pratt), in addition to winning numerous awards for choral sound, choreography, technical assistance, costuming and show.
As impressive as these achievements are (a full listing is on the website: www.gpsouthchoir.org), even for a school with a longstanding reputation of producing future leaders, the level of excellence and performance really needs to be heard and seen to be fully appreciated.
There are loads of opportunities coming up to watch them in action! “What better way to get in the holiday spirit than be with your kids and your family, relax and share music,” Carolyn points out.
The full choir (all 100 students) will perform at the Village Tree Lighting on Kercheval Avenue in Grosse Pointe on November 21st. The annual “Sounds of the Season” concert takes place Friday, December 5th, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, December 6th, at 2 p.m. at the Christian A. Fenton Performing Arts Center.
The Grosse Pointe South Choir will carol in restaurants throughout the Grosse Pointes and St. Clair Shores on Saturday evening, December 6th. All 100 students participate to spread good will for the holiday season. It is also a source of funding (tips appreciated!).
They are available in groups of eight to sing in four-part harmony at private parties in December. Book here: caroling@gpsouthchoir.org.
Carolyn’s ambition for students at Grosse Pointe South is as big and outsized as the enthusiasm she brings to her role, based on her private vision of success that is bigger than striving to win.
It’s about helping our young people.
“I want our students to have a very safe supportive place where they feel seen, where they understand that their songs have an affect on the people who listen,” Carolyn says. “They need to see that music allows them to contribute to a greater good."
“They need to know that even though they may not be able to solve the world’s problems, they can have a positive impact through their music.”
Her 12-year tenure as GPPSS music department chair left her with an unshakable conviction that young people need to feel valued and need to feel they belong. Carolyn holds a degree in Music Education from Wayne State University, and remains deeply committed to bringing music into our community, and sharing her joy with our students.
“My goal is that singing in a choir is seen by the kids as something that is cool, that is okay for them to want to join so they can have a place where they feel safe and feel like they belong,” Carolyn says. “I want it to be known that joining Choir is a good goal for them to have from the very first day they walk into Grosse Pointe South.”
Three core pillars form the foundation of the program: tradition, talent and excellence. Carolyn has implemented policies such as having the kids take an active role in leading daily school rehearsals (as well as after school leading up to the shows).
Grosse Pointe South Choir has four ensembles for students in grades 9-12:
- Pointe Singers: this is South’s Premiere Show Choir, open to students in grades 10-12, which has earned top placements across the midwest and nationally over the last 30 years. In 2019 they were crowned FAME Show Choir National Grand Champions. Winter 2024 included a tour of NYC, where they performed at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and had the opportunity to work with the current dance captain for Broadway’s musical, “The Great Gatsby”
- South Singers: Junior Varsity Show Choir for grades 9-12. They also participated in the NYC Choir tour
- Concert Choir: South’s traditional choral choir for grades 9-12. Twenty new students joined in 2024-25 had 20. They perform Classical to Contemporary and everything in between. South’s Concert Choir participated in the NYC Choir tour last year and will also join the local school tour with the Pointe Singers in December
- Extracurricular Choir: “Suspensions,” an a cappella ensemble led by Grosse Pointe South alum Nick Kuhl. Performs in the style of “Pentatonix,” “Straight No Chaser,” and “Pitch Perfect.” Audition-only for students in grades 10-12 who are enrolled in Grosse Pointe South Choir
Last - but not least - Carolyn has re-launched Boys of the Pointe for middle school male vocalists from any area school. They will perform at Sounds of the Season, and are up to 21 students after their first three days of spreading the word.
Carolyn credits the choral program’s rapid rebuilding with the strong support of parents who join the Choir Boosters, and who “really go above and beyond.” Thanks to parents and community support, the Choir debuted blue and gold costumes last season and has the benefit of weekly professional vocal coaching sessions. The choir benefits from the support of Richard Wolf, Accompanist with the program for 22 years; Cori Callahan, Choreographer; Andrew Pankiewicz, Choreographer, and Nick Kuhl, Vocalist and “Suspensions” Coach.
Her goal for this year is to continue to build more depth into the program and to honor South’s legacy of excellence. “The choral program strengthens the long-term investment of the students and community,” Carolyn explains. “They learn life lessons here, and will go on to be leaders in their community." The choral program empowers them with the social and emotional skills to perform on stage, especially if they perform solo or in a small ensemble. "The students know they are representing something bigger and larger than themselves.”
That legacy includes former Choral Director Ellen Bowen. “She had the vision of a choir that could do it all: sing, dance and perform great works,” Carolyn notes. Other masterful directors include Dr. Len Riccinto, John Finch and Herman A. Clein.
“Honoring the legacy of those who have gone before is a big part of sending our kids out into the world,” Carolyn says. “It is a unique aspect of attending Grosse Pointe South High School.”
“They learn life lessons here, and will go on to be leaders in their community."
"The students know they are representing something bigger and larger than themselves.”
“It is a unique aspect of attending Grosse Pointe South High School.”