Ms. Sherri Matthews, Choral Director
SSherri A. Matthews has been the Choral Director at Mills E. Godwin High School since 1989. After graduating from VCU with a Bachelor in Music Education, she set to work to build the program at Godwin. In 21 years, the program has grown from 23 students to over 250, and Ms. Matthews oversees 9 performing ensembles which perform over 50 times a year. Her choirs have performed for gubernatorial events, have represented Virginia in International Music Festivals, performed at the VMEA State Convention, the ACDA DC Voices United Convention, the National School Board Association, and many other events around Richmond. The choral groups at Godwin have received commendations from Governors Allen and Gilmore, and performed for Governors Allen, Warner, Kaine and the Virginia State Supreme Court. Ms. Matthews also musically directs the Short Pump Players Musicals each school year and has done such shows as The Music Man, Fiddler on the Roof, Working, Hello Dolly, Mame, Les Miserables, and this spring will direct Sweeney Todd. In 2001, Sherri completed her Masters in Music Education at VCU.
Ms. Matthews has been a teacher at the School for the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community (SPARC), has served as a judge for music festivals and competitions, and has musically directed the Henrico County Public Schools Teacher Convocations which were held at the Landmark Theater, the Richmond Convention Center, and the Siegel Center. She has received 11 commendations from the Governors School for the Performing Arts, was awarded commendations from the Mayors of Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Vienna, and she has received the Godwin High School PTSA Educator of the Year Award, Virginia Senate Commendation for Excellence in Teaching, West End Jaycees Young Teacher of the Year Award, was a REB award Finalist, and she has been listed in 6 editions of “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.” As a celebration for Music in our Schools Month, she was named Henrico County Music Teacher of the Year for 2006. Ms. Matthews musically directed the Richmond All-Star High School Musical (Grease and High School Musical) which was sponsored by Barksdale Theatre. She also musically directed the Richmond concert premiere of Ragtime. Ms. Matthews is a member of MENC, ACDA, Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society, and is a founding member of the VCU Music Alumni Board. Ms. Matthews currently serves the Virginia Choral Director’s Association as Vice-President.
About the Choreographer:
This year Ms. Amy Farley serves as our choreographer.
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ClicClick on the link below to visit the director's "Quia" site where you can see class announcements, find internet resources, view the choir calendar, or send an email to Ms. Matthews
Notes from Ms. Matthews
Even before school started, our choral students were in-volved musically. Barbershop and Beautyshop quartets par-ticipated in Harmony College where they enjoyed training and performing. Many stu-dents showed off their talents in the summer concert. It was great to see performances of current, recently graduated, and former students.
The school year started with a bang, including my injury. A big thanks to all of the student directors who filled in for me during school and at Back-to-School Night. While my leg is not completely healed, I am well on my way to full recovery.
If you did not have a chance to meet the student directors for 2010-2011, they are:
Eagles Combination—Carissa Smith & Mark Isaacs
Musical Illusions—Katie Klipp and Kathryn Wesson
Madri-gals— Garrett Riley
Debut— Anna Branch & Jamison Lloyd Acapella—Anna Givens.
I look forward to meeting all of the parents at the Preview concert on October 19. The stu-dents are doing an incredi-ble job, and I cannot wait for you to hear them.
Sherri A. Matthews
VCDA, President
Choral Director
