On Nov. 21, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago, New Trier High School’s High Five Choir, a music program welcoming students of all abilities, was accompanied by the Choraliers and other New Trier students and staff to perform at the 91st Joint Annual Conference, marking an outstanding milestone in High Five Choir history. 

Susan Vaughan, High Five’s choir director, was approached by a representative of the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) to perform at this year’s conference based on a recommendation from the Illinois Music Educators Association.

The Joint Annual Conference, also known as the IASB Equity Immersion, is a program that welcomes thousands of Illinois school board members, superintendents, and administrators for learning and development. Through table-talk discussions, panel presentations, and keynote speakers, the panel seeks to enrich lives and empower students; speaking on notable topics such as “Breaking Barriers: The (Sister)Hood of Hope Approach to Positive Youth Development for Girls of Color” and “Looking at Adoptive, Foster and Kinship Children Through a New Lens: Implications for School Mental Health Support.”

This year’s conference theme is “Foster Belonging,” a message the High Five Choir is familiar with. High Five Choir at New Trier is a groundbreaking music program that promotes inclusivity and the power of music at its best. Intended for students of all abilities, the choir creates a welcoming space for authentic self-expression. High Five Choir accommodates all students so they can participate meaningfully through singing, playing handheld instruments, or dancing. High Five Choir has impacted students and others alike by sharing its message of celebrating similarities and differences over the 20 years since its inception.

High Five Choir’s mission to promote inclusion and togetherness is no small task. It takes a lot of dedication, intention, and help from others. 

“I get goosebumps every time I talk about it,” Vaughan says. “It’s hard work to create a safe, brave space, as we say at New Trier, but I feel that High Five really embodies that environment.”

The choirs and others who volunteered their time performed for about 20 minutes in a ballroom for the superintendents attending the conference. They sang six pieces.

“The audience loved it,” Rowan Giller, a sophomore and member of Choraliers, says. “There were some tears and a lot of smiles. They were really listening with their hearts.”

The IASB Equity Immersion provided a platform for High Five Choir to spread its message this year. This opportunity allows their philosophy to resonate beyond New Trier and inspire educators and leaders statewide. 

“This equity immersion isn’t just for students of all abilities, it’s about support and having a new lens around mental health. And we’re so excited to be a part of this huge piece… It’s kind of like a pinch me moment,” Vaughan says. 

Vaughan wants to thank everyone who helped make the performance possible.

“I’ve learned over 20 that this isn’t possible without a lot of people helping us out,” Vaughan says.