ABOUT US
The Newport Harbor Vocal Music program is composed of three vocal ensembles made up of students from Newport Harbor High School. Our musical program strives to promote all types of ensemble and solo music in the local community. We consistently perform at venues such as the Lido Marina Village, Costa Mesa County Club, Mesa Verde Country Club, Newport Dunes, Lido Isle Yacht Club, and others.
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OUR ENSEMBLES
VOCAL ENSEMBLE
Advanced Mixed (9th - 12th)
This group is considered the elite ensemble of the vocal music program at Newport Harbor High School. This is an advanced choir, with a co-ed mix of voices (soprano, alto, tenor, bass). Vocal Ensemble has performed all around Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, CA at venues such as the Lido Isle Yacht Club, Costa Mesa Country Club, Mesa Verde Country Club, The Villa, and the Newport Dunes. They were featured on morning television during the "Holiday Season" as they prepared for their "Lighting of the Bay" event at the Newport Dunes. They have earned unanimous "Superior" rankings at festivals, and earned praise for their use of diverse repertoire and entertaining performance quality. In 2017, they were selected to perform for the Disneyland Community Arts Showcase. The ensemble was in residence in New York, NY in 2018 and 2020 as they made their Carnegie Hall & Lincoln Center debut, while sharing the stage with ensembles from across the nation and current Broadway performers.
The main focus of this choir is to demonstrate quality vocal music in all genres and in several different musical styles. Members of this group strive to learn musical concepts in sight-reading, music theory, vocal technique, and musicianship in a quick-fast paced manner, and have most likely already been a part of the vocal music program for a year or two. Members of this group commit to several different performances spread out across festivals, rallies, tours, and more. To be a member of this ensemble, an entrance vocal and musicianship audition is required.
CHANTELLES
Treble Voices (9th - 12th)
Chantelles is a word of French Origin meaning "Singer". This is a treble voice group. Students in this ensemble demonstrate an intermediate knowledge of choral music and music elements. Historically, this group was named Ladies Ensemble and have been invited to perform around the local community at venues such as Our Lady Queen of Angels Church, Costa Mesa Country Club, and The Villa. They have earned unanimous "Superior" rankings at festivals, and praise for their use of a cappella repertoire and folk music. In 2017, they were selected to perform for the Disneyland Community Arts Showcase. The ensemble was in residence in New York, NY in 2018 as they made their Carnegie Hall debut, while sharing the stage with ensembles from across the nation and A-list Broadway performers.
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This group focuses on developing vocal technique, enhancing beginning music skills, and learning to sing in both a cappella and accompanied choral settings. Members of the group learn concepts in sight-reading, music theory, vocal technique, and musicianship. The members of this group commit to several performances spread out across festivals, rallies, tours, and more! Members of this group have usually been in the vocal music program for a year, however exceptions can be made for talented newcomers who are joining for the first time, and demonstrate musical leadership. To be a part of this ensemble, an entrance vocal audition is required.
SAILOR ENSEMBLE
For Any Newcomers! (All Grades)
Sailor Ensemble is open to ALL students! This class is designed to teach students how to sing, begin to read music, learn musicianship, and introduce them to different genres of vocal music. The ensemble engages in fields trips and festival performances throughout the year. In this class, students learn what it takes to sing as a choir and how to grow as a choral and solo singer. Members of this group commit to performances at festivals, rallies, and more.
This ensemble does not require an entrance audition and is "sign-up" only!
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
NATIONAL
TRIPS
LIVE
CONCERTS
OPEN MIC
NIGHTS
MEET OUR TEAM
Committed to Excellence in Music Education
JEFFREY LEDÓN ...... Program Director
VOCAL MUSIC DIRECTOR
Mr. Ledón is the current vocal music director at Newport Harbor High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education: Choral Emphasis, California K-12 Teaching Credential, and his Master of Science in Secondary Education from California State University, Fullerton. Currently, he is pursuing a Doctorate in Education at the University of Southern California.
He has performed with choirs in the United States and in Europe including performances at the Hollywood Bowl, Honda Center, & Greek Theater with artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Juanes, John Williams and others. In 2013, Mr. Ledón made his international recitalist debut in Rome, Italy under the direction of the 'Orange County Ars-Vocalis Academy' faculty. Often he served as secondary accompanist and organist at Anaheim United Methodist Church for soloists and choirs.
Mr. Ledón began his teaching career as a private vocal and piano teacher. His experience was then furthered when he became a Yamaha Music Education System Instructor for Yamaha Corporation of America teaching group piano and vocal courses.
Under his direction, the Newport Harbor Vocal Music program has become an integral part of the Newport Harbor Performing Arts Academy. His students have received numerous performance experiences locally and nationwide. In 2018, his students established their first bi-annual New York City residency where they have worked alongside Broadway performers on iconic stages such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. As a choir director, he is passionate about emphasizing a rigorous musical curriculum with expressive performance techniques to produce well rounded musical experiences with his students. He also is ardent about providing his students with meaningful performance experiences and exposure to various vocal music genres. Mr. Ledón enjoys collaborating with other music programs in our district to promote diverse music education and present audiences with concerts such as Holidays at Harbor! and the Newport Harbor Zone Vocal Concert.
Along with his choral duties, he is the vocal director and conductor for the Drama Departments' Spring Musicals at Newport Harbor High School.
MAN-LING BAI ....... Accompanist
PIANO ACCOMPANIST
As an award winning pianist, Man-Ling received national presence in Taiwan on several TV shows such as the “Young Composer Prodigy.” At age seven, her first composed piece “Dance of a Clown” was chosen to be performed for the 28th Yamaha Children's Music Festival; several of her other works were also chosen for the next 5 consecutive years of the festival. In 2013, Man-Ling came to the United States to study under Ning An at The School of Music of Lees University in Cleveland, Tennessee, and in 2016 at California State University, both on a full scholarship. She has recently completed her training at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California for her Master's Degree in Piano Performance under direction of Jeffery Kahane with scholarships, and is now pursuing her Doctorate of Music in Piano Performance.
