Johnny Miller, Founder/Director

When it comes to what retired Borger ISD Director of Choral Arts Johnny Miller expected of his middle and high school choirs, it was excellence. And the records proved it.

Miller has been teaching for 38 years, beginning his career in his hometown of Pecos, where he taught for two years. A stint of three years followed in Spearman before he came to Borger schools. Finishing and retiring on his 29th year at the helm in Borger, he has had over 67 students make the All-State Choir and two students who have been four-year All-State Choir Members. His program has also received state and national recognition, being honored as one of the top 100 communities in the nation for music education in 2001. He was honored by Texas Governor Rick Perry with this award.

He has had consecutive sweepstakes awards for the Varsity Honors Choir for over 20 years, along with numerous superior ratings in concert/sight-reading and solo and ensemble contests. His students have also received outstanding, superior, and excellent ratings at State Solo and Ensemble Contests. The choir room at Borger High School was renamed the Johnny L. Miller Choir Room in his honor in 2006 as a gift from the senior class.

Miller believes in the importance of a balanced education for his students.

“I believe for a student to receive a well-rounded education, they must participate in the 3 As,” he said. “When a student is involved in Academics, Athletics, and the Arts, he or she will be feeding the mind, body, and the soul.

Choir is all about teaming. Students must be thinkers as well as singers. It’s an intellectual sport. They must work all their muscles, including their brains.”

His goal is to get from the beginning to the end with excellence, and believes successful people are those who know the meaning of hard work. It is his philosophy that there are no benchwarmers in choir, that choir is family, and that he is the “choir dad” for all students under his care. Suffice it to say that after 35+ years, there are students, both past and present, who consider him their “choir dad” and always will.

Not being one who could just retire after 34 years and walk away from the very thing he is passionate about, Johnny Miller formed the Texas Panhandle Youth Choir in partnership with Frank Phillips College in September 2016 to meet the needs of talented student singers who do not have choir offered in their community schools, who are home schooled or who just want to sing more and want to share in his passion of the choral arts. Had it not been for Miller’s experiences in his church youth choir, the inspiration for becoming a choir educator may never have occurred. In less than two months, enrollment has gone from zero to 54 singers. In addition to his newly formed youth choir, he also remains active as an adjudicator and clinician.

When he has opportunities to speak to civic organizations about his choir project, he lets them know that parents spend tons of money when they see their child exhibiting talents and passion in sports, outside the school day and on weekends. The Texas Panhandle Youth Choir now makes available for parents, who see talent and passion in singing, to have the opportunity to hone their talents and skills in an

organized choral setting which is offered in partnership with Frank Phillips College outside the school day. Now there is club choir under the direction of Johnny Miller!!!

Now going into its 4th Season after another very successful 3rd year, with a third Sweepstakes title win for the “Youngers” at the Dumas Festival and a third Sweepstakes title win for the “Olders” at the Greater Southwest Music Festival in Amarillo, plus being named “Best in Class”, TPYC will be giving concerts and performances as before and also doing competitions along with many more opportunities to share the passion in song.

THIS YEAR JOINING THE “OLDERS” WILL BE THE ADULTS OF ALL AGES TO FORM THE TEXAS PANHANDLE COMMUNITY CHOIR. THIS CHOIR WILL BE MEETING FOR 2 HOURS EVERY SUNDAY FROM 3-5PM. IN THE FPC AUDITORIUM. “GIVING FOLKS OF ALL AGES IN THE TEXAS PANHANDLE, WHO LOVE TO SING, THE OPPORTUNITY!!!” IS OUR MISSION STATEMENT. PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO OR JOINING THIS FUN GROUP!!!

The Texas Panhandle Youth Choir is a representation of talents spanning the Texas Panhandle. Honor, Character, Integrity, Faith and Love will be key elements taught along with the Choral Arts. We welcome all who wish to be an active and productive part of our family as we share the Love and Hope music can offer. Achieving excellence through music. Giving youth in the Texas Panhandle, who love to sing, the opportunity. There is so much darkness in the world, music brings light and life. –J. Miller

TPYC/TPCC 2019-2020 Fall Schedule

• Sunday, Aug. 25th following rehearsal Monthly Parent Meeting – “Olders”

• Tuesday, Aug. 27th following rehearsal Monthly Parent Meeting - “Youngers”

• Sunday, Sept. 1st TPYC MIXER EVERYONE – Pampa H2O –3-6pm. Details TBA.

• Saturday, Sept. 7th MS All-Region Benchmark 7/8th Boys.

• Sunday, Sept. 8th Sup-n-Sing tickets and posters out.

• Tuesday, Sept. 10th Sup-n-Sing tickets and posters out.

• Wednesday, Sept. 11th Sing at 9/11 Memorial Details TBA

• Saturday, Sept. 21st MS All-Region Benchmark 7th Girls.

• Saturday, Sept. 28th MS All-Region Benchmark 8th Girls.

• Saturday, Oct. 5th Sup-n-Sing – 4-8pm FPC Cafeteria FALL FUNDRAISER EVENT (tips go choir operations.)

• Sunday, Oct. 6th OLDERS Bring a Friend Day

• Tuesday, Oct. 8th YOUNGERS Bring a Friend Day

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  Saturday, Oct. 12th Pre-Region Audition Benchmark session - $35, Registration 9:30, 10:00 Begin. Lunch (provided), 3:00pm. End. Run Music, major emphasis on sight-reading.

• Sunday, Nov. 3rd Fall Photo Shoot –2pm. Groups, then Individuals

• Sunday, Nov. 17th TPYC Christmas Downtown Borger Neumann and Bailey - Details TBA

• Sunday, Dec. 1st FULL REHEARSAL BOTH GROUPS Posters out for Christmas Concert

• Monday, Dec. 2nd Borger Christmas Sing/Parade – Dec. – TBA

• Tuesday, Dec. 3rd FULL REHEARSAL BOTH GROUPS

• Friday, Dec. 13th Christmas Gig at Triple C’s at 7pm. Details TBA

• Sunday, Dec. 15th – TPYC Christmas in Song FPC Auditorium – 3:30pm.

• Tuesday, Dec. 17th TPYC Christmas Caroling and Party – Details TBA

• *MERRY CHRISTMAS*

• Thursday, Jan. 2nd All-State Benchmark Help Session - Details TBA

TPYC/TPCC 2020 Spring Schedule

• Saturday, Jan. 4th – Monday, Jan. 6th TPYC Auditions – Spring Semester – FPC Auditorium 4:30-6:30pm.

• Sunday, Jan. 12th TPYC Rehearsals resume – “Olders” –3-5pm.

• Tuesday, Jan. 14th -“Youngers” Rehearsals resume –5:30-7:30pm.

• Sunday, Feb. 2nd Tacos and Talent Tickets/Posters out and Auditions after rehearsal.

• Tuesday, Feb. 4th TNT Tickets and Posters out. Auditions after rehearsal.

• Sunday, Mar. 1st Full Rehearsal for TNT Show

• Tuesday, Mar. 3rd Full Rehearsal for TNT Show

• Saturday, Mar. 7th Tacos and Talent –Spring Fundraiser Event – FPC Cafeteria – 5pm. Meal / Auditorium 7pm. Talent Performance.

• Sunday, Mar. 8th Bring a Friend Day

• Tuesday, Mar. 10th Bring a Friend Day

• Sunday, Mar. 29th All Ads and Bio’s due for Yearbook

• Tuesday, Mar. 31st All Ads and Bio’s due for Yearbook

• Formal Photo Shoot – Sunday, April 5th – Details TBA

• Sunday, Apr. 19th Get out posters for Spring Concert / Major Rehearsal GSW

• Saturday, April 25th Dumas Festival (YOUNGERS),– Details TBA and Wonderland Park

• Sunday, Apr. 26th Major final rehearsal for Greater Southwest Music Festival

• Thursday, Apr. 30th National Day of Prayer ––Complete TPYC Choir Huber Park – Details TBA

• Thursday, Apr. 30th Greater Southwest Music Festival (OLDERS) –– Amarillo – Details TBA

• Sunday, May 17th Spring Salute to Broadway Musicals –– 3:30pm. Details TBA

• Monday, June 1st FLORIDA CHOIR TRIP!!!

• *HAPPY SUMMER*

POSSIBLE SUMMER OFFERINGS

Summer Theory Camp (Rhythm and Skills Focus)

Sight reading Specialty Camp

Serious Singers Camp

Summer Singing (some aren't) Camp

Voice Camp

Voice Lessons

All-State Starter Kit Camp

SUGGESTIONS or THOUGHTS???
Email jmiller@fpctx.edu or call/text 806.898.4847

TPYC Olders 2018

TPYC Youngers 2018

Texas Panhandle Youth Choir Members

Olders

Youngers

Texas Panhandle Youth Choir History 

In May 2016, when Johnny Miller announced his retirement from the Borger schools after 29 years of service and a total of 34 years, it occurred to him that there was a very real need in the Texas Panhandle for youth whose communities did not offer choir, or youth who were homeschooled or youth who simply wanted the opportunity to sing more. The evidence was a result of having students come from Stinnett, Fritch, and White Deer to Borger High School to be in choir.

Upon his retirement, Mr. Miller told some of his Borger singers that he was toying with the idea of having a choir like this, but needed a place to meet and call home. Enter Frank Phillips College. After having the opportunity to meet with President Jud Hicks and Vice-President Shannon Carroll, Mr. Miller was floored by the response they had and what they wanted to see happen with his vision and mission because of his passion. He quickly told folks, “You can take the choir director out of choir, but you cannot take the choir out of the choir director.”

God began to move and Mr. Miller met with folks, shared his passion and vision, and on September 10, 2016, the TPYC was born. In less than two months, membership went from zero to 54 singers, ages ranging from six years to 20 years. There are two working choirs, meeting at two different times for two-hour rehearsals each. The “Youngers” are from third grade to seventh grade and meet on Tuesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The “Olders” are from eighth grade through college sophomore, meeting on Sundays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. This allows students from FPC to be involved if they so choose. Entry is by audition and choir members must pay a monthly tuition fee and semester operations fee.

Little did he know how very real the need was!

There are now singers from Perryton, Spearman, Gruver, Pringle-Morse, Panhandle, Spring Creek, Stinnett, Fritch, Channing, Skellytown, Borger, and many homeschooled as well as FPC students. Mr. Miller tells folks, “It is like God said, “You’ve done it this way for so long. Now, kick back and enjoy this!” His phrase, “Soli Deo Gloria” (Latin for Glory to God Alone) and the 95th Psalm are the core values he stresses before each and every member of the TPYC. God continues to bless with many asking about auditions for the choir’s Fall and Spring seasons which happen in August and January at the FPC Choir Studio, across from the auditorium, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. There is no preparation necessary and each individual is handled on a first come first serve basis.  If any singers are currently participating in an organized choir program, it is important for them to understand that TPYC is in addition to, and not in place of, their current choir program. 

When Mr. Miller talks to civic organizations about his choir project, he lets them know that parents spend tons of money when they see their child exhibiting talents and choir now offers the availability for parents who see in their children talent and passion for the choral arts the opportunity to excel in that area because it is offered in partnership with Frank Phillips College outside of the school day.

The newly-formed organization, a non-profit, has had wonderful financial support throughout the community. This support allows the program to offer scholarships to singers who cannot afford to be a part of TPYC. Mr. Miller’s long-range goal is to find the finances necessary to bring sponsors, corporate donors, and companies who might want to participate in this mission, passion, and vision. To date, the organization has raised enough money to provide full scholarships for ten singers and is working on grants to help with organizational costs and the refit of the FPC auditorium. Donations go toward choir operation and scholarships. All donations are tax-deductible and can be made by going to the FPC webpage located at www.fpctx.edu and clicking on the TPYC link or contacting Mr. Miller by e-mailing jmiller@fpctx.edu or calling/texting 806.898.4847. You may also follow us on Facebook.

Please join us by supporting the award-winning TPYC financially or simply by helping us to get the information out as the Texas Panhandle Youth Choir goes on this most historic and blessed journey with God’s hand and guidance. He will always receive the glory as Mr. Miller is now in his 37th year of teaching post-retirement and having the continued opportunity to plant seeds of love for the very passion and reason he got into teaching for sharing the love and passion of music with others! Thank you for your time and attention!!!

TPYC Extras

Rotary Road Trip 2018

Olders Selfie 2018-2019

Youngers Selfie 2018-2019