Ep 124: More Than Music: Jordan High Madrigals Gain Renown on Regional, National Stages

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Long before Jordan High Choir Director Jaron Putnam ever stood in front of a choir, music was already shaping who he would become.

“One of my first memories of being a human being was singing "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" with my family,” Putnam says. “My dad sang in a barbershop quartet growing up and so my siblings were harmonizing, and I just was surrounded by harmony from a very early age.”

That foundation — music as connection and shared purpose — is what Putnam now works to cultivate in Jordan High’s Madrigals, a group that has grown into one of the state’s most accomplished musical ensembles. Whether performing at local events and spreading holiday cheer throughout the community, or competing on prestigious stages, the Jordan Madrigals are demonstrating how music education can open doors in school, work, and life.

The ensemble has taken home top marks in the Utah high school Shakespeare Festival, and is preparing to compete at the San Diego Heritage Festival, where choirs from across the country are evaluated against national adjudication standards.

But accolades are only part of the story.

In the latest episode of Connect Canyons, Putnam is joined by Madrigal members Katie Barnes, Adam Lindsay, Evelyn Shore, John Hamm, and Titus Tyler who reflect on how being part of the choir has shaped their confidence, discipline, and a sense of belonging in the Beetdigger community. Students describe finding their voices — sometimes literally for the first time — while learning how to work as a team and master skills to develop the courage to perform under pressure.