Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir kicks off busy spring with concert, auditions and ‘fun’ new choirs

The Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir (SVCC) hosts their annual spring concert, a kick-off to a busy spring season of auditions and fundraising.

SVCC also introduces unauditioned spring choirs for children and teens who love to sing and want to participate in a fun, friendly, and short-term introduction to the vocal arts.

 

Spring concert and auditions

The concert, entitled “Daybreak” around the theme of celebrating new beginnings, will be April 12 at 4 p.m. in Eastern Mennonite University’s Lehman Auditorium. The Concert, Treble and Preparatory choirs will perform.

Selections include the title song, “Day Break,” a contemporary arrangement by Stephen Paulus; “Dream a Dream,” sung by the Treble Choir; and “Morning Glow from the musical Pippin.

The program also includes “Orde-e,” a Madukayan folksong; David N. Childs’ “Weep No More”; and Handel’s “Oh, Had I Jubal’s Lyre.”

Presale tickets range from $7-$15 and can be purchased online or by calling the EMU box office at 540-432-4582.

Auditions for the 2015-16 choir, open to boys and girls in 2-12 grade, will be May 7-8.

 

Fundraisers helping with new uniforms and scholarships

SVCC is currently hosting a campaign to offset the cost of new uniforms and to raise scholarship funds for deserving choristers who would not be able to participate without financial aid. The choir’s current uniforms are nearly 20 years old.

In addition, “A Musical Tour with the Presidents” on May 15 is a rotating musical and culinary feast at the homes of three area presidents of academic institutions. At the home of James Madison University president Jonathan Alger and his wife, Mary Ann, visitors will enjoy show tunes and a New York spread. The tour continues at the home of Eastern Mennonite president Loren Swartendruber and his wife, Pat, offering jazz and New Orleans delicacies. The last stop features music and treats from Hollywood at the home of National College president David Zimmerman and his wife, Diana. Tickets are $75 per person through April 11 and $100 from April 12 until sold out.

 

‘Fun’ choirs for youth who love to sing

Three unauditioned choirs offer a five-week vocal arts experience to area youth beginning April 20. The SVCC Boychoir, known as “Viva Voce,” is back by popular demand, joined by the new Girlchoir, “Bella Voce,” and youth choir, “Nova Voce.”

Boychoir and Girlchoir are open to all boys and girls, respectively, in grades 1-6, regardless of singing background. Participants will play games, learn basic musicianship skills in fun and active ways, and sing lots of engaging treble repertoire.

The youth choir is a mixed choir of singers in grades 7-12. Participants will sing 3- and 4-part repertoire for mixed voices and will work on basic musicianship skills in a collaborative, enjoyable environment.

Choirs will meet on five consecutive Monday afternoons from 4:45-6:45 p.m. in EMU’s Martin Chapel, starting April 20and ending May 18. The final evening will be a performance for friends and family. Cost is $60. To register, click here.

For information, call the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir at 540-432-4650.

Article by: Lauren Jefferson
Image by: Jon Styer