A Womanin the Wings / October 2007
Singing Happiness
 Pam McClain
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A woman who sings happiness into the world, Pam McClain, is remarkable. Pam is the choral director at Parkersburg High School where she conducts the A Cappella and Chamber choirs, two piano classes, a fine arts class and a voice class. She is the Director of Music Ministries at Stout Memorial United Methodist Church where she oversees the children’s choir, men’s ensemble, chamber choir and the hand bell ringers.
Pam has been teaching music for 23 years. She is a 1981 graduate of Parkersburg High School. Pam holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education from Alderson-Broaddus College, a Masters in Arts in Liberal Learning from Marietta College, and a Reading Certificate from West Virginia University. She has also completed post graduate hours at Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in Winchester, Virginia.
Her inspiration for pursuing a music career began at a young age. She took piano and pipe organ lessons throughout her adolescence. She now teaches in the very room where her mentor, Jean Singer, taught. “It is an awesome and humbling experience to be teaching in the very classroom where I was inspired to pursue music as a career,” Pam said.
Jean Singer’s nurturing spirit and gentle guidance and her belief that Pam had all the capabilities of a leader in the music field encouraged Pam to make music her life’s work. “Mrs. Singer encouraged me to share the love of music with others.” I continue that philosophy in my career today.” Today, at her alma mater, she leads a 26 member Chamber Choir and an 85 member A Cappella Choir. She has active students who do many things well. Many of her choir students are athletes, cheerleaders, Red Wing dancers, student council leaders, band members, and national honor society members. Three quarters of her students make a 4.0 average or higher and also participate in extra curricular activities as well as many types of volunteer work. She has had numerous students throughout the years major or minor in music in college which she considers a personal reward.
“Music affects everyone in life somehow.” “ It touches all of us every day in a spiritual or personal way.” “Music crosses the curriculum and is therapy for mankind.” “It appeals to our senses and becomes a part of who we are.” “Music is influenced by all other subjects such as math, art, English, social studies, geography, foreign languages and is considered a core subject as well”, she explained.
Many opportunities have presented themselves this year for the A Cappella Choir.
The choir has been invited to perform with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra on the Clay Center stage December 7 and 8 with the efforts of both Jean Singer and Pam leading the way. The group returned from Washington, D.C. last year having won gold ratings in national competition. They were awarded the grand sweepstakes trophy and will compete again this season in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Busy, busy, busy is the world of a music teacher. Pam gives private voice lessons each year from May through August. She works with serious students that need help preparing for college auditions or with those who want to improve their music skills in the classroom. She has just completed a two year position as West Virginia All-State Chorus Chairperson as well as conductor for the West Virginia United Methodist Conference held at West Virginia Weslyan College in Buckhannon, West Virginia. She is currently training to become the region V Solo and Ensemble Festival chairperson.
“The ‘glory and splendor of it all’ is captured in the fruits of her labor. The Choir is one of the best public relations groups at Parkersburg High School, and not just for a semester or two, but all year long.
Parkersburg High School’s educational business partner, Dupont, always asks the choir to perform for their employees and retirees as they continue to build a strong mentoring relationship. Our traditions at Parkersburg High are numerous with the choir being one of them. “We were the first high school choir formed in the state of West Virginia and have maintained a standard of excellence of which I am proud to be a part.”
Pam came from a very loving and musical family. “My parents provided the opportunity for me to take piano and pipe organ lessons while growing up.” “I also played the flute during this time,” she said.
Pam’s sister, Jan Corrothers, is an accomplished musician as well and teaches at Northern Kentucky University. Jan and her sister are the only siblings in their family and although they are 16 years apart in age, they are very connected in their love for music. Jan is also a Parkersburg High School graduate and accompanies the A Cappella Choir for both school Christmas and Spring concerts.
This busy music teacher is married to husband Steve. Although her husband is not musically inclined, he understands the value that his wife brings to her students and he sees the joy that her music students bring to her each day. Pam is the mother of nine year old, Merideth. Her parents, Keith and Glada Powers, who gave her the love for music, live in Parkersburg and continue to attend and support their daughter's efforts.
Copyright © 2007 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
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