Chorus
Lillie Sims
Lillian Sims is a recent graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, and she currently serves as the choir director of Duluth Middle School. During her time at UGA, Ms. Sims was heavily involved in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, serving as a Student Ambassador as well as leadership positions in the UGA American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Chapter, like Public Relations Chair (2024-25) and President (2025-26). She studied voice under Dr. Gregory Broughton, and performed in five of the seven offered choirs at UGA, including the UGA Hodgson Singers. While in the Hodgson Singers, Ms. Sims performed at the 2024 Southern Region and Georgia ACDA Conferences. She also has experience singing in recitals and performances in Europe.
Lillian is extremely passionate about choral music and its impact. In her classroom, she strives to create a welcoming environment where students build community, connect the music they perform to their lives, and learn the skills to become lifelong musicians. She is also a member of professional organizations, like the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the Georgia Association of Educators.
About Our Chorus Program
6th Grade Beginner Choir
This choir is for all new students! No singing experience is necessary! In 6th grade Chorus, we teach students the fundamentals of music, singing technique, and performance skills. Students in this choir will learn how to sing, build confidence in singing in front of others, and will perform in four concerts throughout the school year.
7th Grade Ensembles
In 7th Grade, the chorus class is split into 2 ensembles: a Treble Choir (higher voices) and a Tenor/Bass Choir (lower voices). In each class, we will build on skills learned in 6th grade and introduce 3-part harmony, all while navigating the adolescent voice change. While each ensemble will learn music individually to their class, they will also have the opportunity to combine to sing as a grade level mixed choir during some of their concerts. Students will perform in 4 concerts a year.
8th Grade Advanced Mixed Choir
The 8th Grade Chorus is typically made up of students who have been in chorus since 6th grade, but new students are welcome to join if they meet with Ms. Sims. Students in 8th Grade Chorus will continue to build on the skills they have learned throughout middle school as they prepare to join Chorus at Duluth High School!
Extracurricular Events
- District Honors Chorus: A weekend at The Classic Center in downtown Athens, GA. This is an audition-only trip for 6th - 8th graders.
- Allstate Chorus: Chorus students from around the state who pass a two-round audition process are invited to come to Athens for a weekend in February, where they work with a clinician and prepare a performance! Open to 7th and 8th Grade Students (must audition with Ms. Sims to be registered for the first round of auditions)
- Six Flags: A weekend of performance and fun for our 7th and 8th grade students!
- Disney: Students who stay until the 8th grade can join in our Disney trip/performance!
- Parties/Parades/Competitions/Field Trips/etc...the list goes on!
School Year 2025-2026 Highlights
- Took students to see the Atlanta Opera
- Received Superior and Excellent ratings at LGPE while performing the highest-level music in program history.
- Had the first student in program history represent DMS at All-State Chorus
- Multiple students selected for GMEA District 13 Honor Chorus