Our Mission
The Knightdale Vocal Music Department is on a journey to develop outstanding, knowledgeable and independent musicians striving for excellence in all endeavors; To inspire, enlighten and challenge students to reach their full potential both as singers and human beings.
Our Vision
To use our collaborative participation in the KHS vocal music program to expand our personal perspective of the world using these creative experiences as opportunities for personal growth and enrichment.
Our Program
Students in the Knightdale Choral Department learn a varied approach to rehearsal techniques, sight singing, ear training, fundamentals of vocal pedagogy as well as some music theory, music history, IPA, and use of technical language.
The Knightdale Choral Department performs two independent concerts each year and participates in a variety of collaborative performances. In addition, auditioned students present two dessert theater fundraisers each year; a Holiday Cabaret and a Spring Soiree.
Upper level students (honors) perform regularly for community and school events throughout the year. Students present an Honor’s Voice Recital each spring and many or our students regularly audition for the NC Honors Chorus and participate in choral workshops and leadership development opportunities in choral music.
Our Director
A graduate of Union Pines High School (’82) in Moore County, John-Philip Mullinax received his formal training at Mars Hill College (B.M.E-‘86), studying voice with Dr. William Thomas and Dr. Susan Hensley. He earned his Master of Music in Conducting Performance (‘98) from the University of North Texas, in Denton, TX, studying with Dr. Hal Gibbons and Dr. Mel Ivy. In addition, he studied Vocal Performance at Converse College with Ms. Jane Rolandi, and Conducting Performance at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX, with Dr. Robert Burton and Dr. David Keith. He has performed professionally with Fort Worth Opera, Fort Worth Symphony, and Oklahoma Lyric Theatre. His solo appearances include Faure Requeim, Handel Messiah, Bach Magnificat, Schubert Mass in G, and Haydn Creation.
Mr. Mullinax, a National Board Certified teacher, has held choral and keyboard instructional positions at the Performing Arts High School in Fort Worth, Texas; Pinellas County Center for the Performing Arts at Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg, Florida; and the Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts at Einstein High School, in Kensington, Maryland. Mr. Mullinax was the 2003 Clinician for the Pinellas All-County Middle School Chorus. He was the Director of Choral Activities at Wakefield High School in Raleigh NC for 17 years and at Heritage High School in Wake Forest, NC for 4 years. In the spring of 2016 he held an adjunct faculty at NC State University as Conductor of the NCSU Singing Statesmen. From 2010-2014 he served as the Fine Arts Department Chair at Wakefield High School and from 2010 to 2012, he served as the Co-Staff Development Coordinator for the High School Choral Staff in Wake County, NC. In addition, Mr. Mullinax has served on the board of NC Music Educators Association as the District 11 president and also has been a presenter at NCMEA Convention. He gladly serves as mentor to student teachers and to new teachers in our county and state. Mr. Mullinax's choirs have been performed at Disney World, Carnegie Hall, NC ACDA conference, the NCMEA Music Teachers Convention as well as other prestigious concert venues around the USA and Canada. Mr. Mullinax has held various church positions as Director of Music Ministries in Texas, SC and NC.
The Knightdale Vocal Music Department is on a journey to develop outstanding, knowledgeable and independent musicians striving for excellence in all endeavors; To inspire, enlighten and challenge students to reach their full potential both as singers and human beings.
Our Vision
To use our collaborative participation in the KHS vocal music program to expand our personal perspective of the world using these creative experiences as opportunities for personal growth and enrichment.
Our Program
Students in the Knightdale Choral Department learn a varied approach to rehearsal techniques, sight singing, ear training, fundamentals of vocal pedagogy as well as some music theory, music history, IPA, and use of technical language.
The Knightdale Choral Department performs two independent concerts each year and participates in a variety of collaborative performances. In addition, auditioned students present two dessert theater fundraisers each year; a Holiday Cabaret and a Spring Soiree.
Upper level students (honors) perform regularly for community and school events throughout the year. Students present an Honor’s Voice Recital each spring and many or our students regularly audition for the NC Honors Chorus and participate in choral workshops and leadership development opportunities in choral music.
Our Director
A graduate of Union Pines High School (’82) in Moore County, John-Philip Mullinax received his formal training at Mars Hill College (B.M.E-‘86), studying voice with Dr. William Thomas and Dr. Susan Hensley. He earned his Master of Music in Conducting Performance (‘98) from the University of North Texas, in Denton, TX, studying with Dr. Hal Gibbons and Dr. Mel Ivy. In addition, he studied Vocal Performance at Converse College with Ms. Jane Rolandi, and Conducting Performance at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX, with Dr. Robert Burton and Dr. David Keith. He has performed professionally with Fort Worth Opera, Fort Worth Symphony, and Oklahoma Lyric Theatre. His solo appearances include Faure Requeim, Handel Messiah, Bach Magnificat, Schubert Mass in G, and Haydn Creation.
Mr. Mullinax, a National Board Certified teacher, has held choral and keyboard instructional positions at the Performing Arts High School in Fort Worth, Texas; Pinellas County Center for the Performing Arts at Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg, Florida; and the Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts at Einstein High School, in Kensington, Maryland. Mr. Mullinax was the 2003 Clinician for the Pinellas All-County Middle School Chorus. He was the Director of Choral Activities at Wakefield High School in Raleigh NC for 17 years and at Heritage High School in Wake Forest, NC for 4 years. In the spring of 2016 he held an adjunct faculty at NC State University as Conductor of the NCSU Singing Statesmen. From 2010-2014 he served as the Fine Arts Department Chair at Wakefield High School and from 2010 to 2012, he served as the Co-Staff Development Coordinator for the High School Choral Staff in Wake County, NC. In addition, Mr. Mullinax has served on the board of NC Music Educators Association as the District 11 president and also has been a presenter at NCMEA Convention. He gladly serves as mentor to student teachers and to new teachers in our county and state. Mr. Mullinax's choirs have been performed at Disney World, Carnegie Hall, NC ACDA conference, the NCMEA Music Teachers Convention as well as other prestigious concert venues around the USA and Canada. Mr. Mullinax has held various church positions as Director of Music Ministries in Texas, SC and NC.
