Atlantic City Public Schools Students Find Their Voice in First-Ever Middle School Combined Choir Concert
Students from across the district united through music, friendship and teamwork as Atlantic City Public Schools celebrated the debut of its Middle School Combined Choir.
ATLANTIC CITY – The Atlantic City Public Schools Middle School Combined Choir held its first concert on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Atlantic City High School.
Under the direction of John Howard, Dr. Nycole Lyles-Belton and Chaia Jennings, students from throughout the school district learned to sing together and became more serious about the arts.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. La'Quetta S. Small praised the students and directors for creating a memorable evening and launching a program that strengthens arts education throughout the district.
“This concert demonstrated the incredible talent, dedication and potential that exists in our middle school students,” Dr. Small said. “Music has the power to bring people together, and this choir united students from across our district in a way that celebrated their individual voices while teaching them the value of working together."
Various students said that joining the choir gave them more confidence and allowed them to build friendships with students from other schools they may not have met otherwise.
“This endeavor was special for so many reasons,” Jennings said. “To be a part of the district’s first middle school choir meant Mr. Howard, Dr. Lyles-Belton and I were able to use the skills we’ve developed over many years of being a part of different choirs to build something with a group of amazing students. The kids gained performance and public speaking skills and seemed to have had a lot of fun doing so.”
Jennings said the choir's success has the potential to inspire more students to participate in the future.
“Hopefully, this is just the beginning and word will get out, encouraging other middle schoolers to get involved no matter their skill level,” Jennings said. “I am so very proud of the commitment, effort and fearlessness the students displayed during the debut concert. Hearing them reflect on what the choir has meant to them was a proud moment.”
Howard said the concert was a celebration of the students’ dedication and growth throughout the program.
“The opportunity to witness our students' talents, dedication and hard work converge into such an outstanding performance was incredibly rewarding—not only for the three of us as directors, but, more importantly, for the students themselves,” Howard said. “I look forward to seeing each student discover and embrace their unique voice, whether through singing or in other areas of life, and then use that voice to contribute to something greater than themselves.”
For Dr. Lyles-Belton, the program represented even more than music.
“Serving as one of the directors was both an honor and a privilege,” Dr. Lyles-Belton said. “It was especially meaningful to be selected for this role and to use my experience in music, along with my passion for building, empowering and developing young people, to help bring this vision to life and showcase the greatness that exists within our students.”
Dr. Lyles-Belton also said the choir helped build comraderie.
“More than learning music, students learned teamwork, discipline and the value of community," Dr. Lyles-Belton said. "Watching them grow in confidence while building relationships across the district was truly inspiring.”
She added that the students have established a foundation that can benefit future generations of performers.
“My hope is that students walk away from this experience knowing that their voices matter, their differences are strengths and that when people come together with a shared purpose, extraordinary things can happen,” Dr. Lyles-Belton said.
The choir presented arrangements of “Oh, Happy Day” by Edwin Hawkins, “Stand Up” by Cynthia Erivo and Joshua Brian Campbell, and “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers. The ensemble also performed “Joyful, Joyful,” arranged by Mervyn Warren, at Dr.Small's request. The superintendent joined the students on stage for the performance along with several district staff members including: Atlantic City High School Principal Dr. Constance Days-Chapman, Chy’vonne Days, Confidential Executive Secretary, Davinee Holland, Preschool Community and Parent Involvement Specialist Tameisha Purnell, substitute teacher Tawane Cooper, teacher Elizabeth Barnes and community member Kellie Davis. Stephen Hackley served as the accompanist.
I am grateful to our directors for their vision and commitment, and I look forward to seeing this program continue to grow and inspire future generations of Atlantic City Public Schools students,” Dr. Small said.
To see a photo and video gallery from the concert, click the link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/k77jUzskpF65V4HB7
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