I recently attended a meeting for those parents who have kids in the Indianapolis Children's Choir. These meetings are conducted during the first week of rehearsals to introduce some of the staff to the parents, as well as to summarize the information in the parent handbook. The meeting I attended was for Treble Choir, which is comprised of some of our youngest singers. There were many parents in this meeting brand new to ICC.
As I looked around and chatted with a few people, I thought, "These folks have no idea what's in store for them!" Although they listened intently about uniforms, performances, tuition and donating to the choir, it would take more than a 60-minute meeting to really understand all that the Indianapolis Children's Choir represents. The world-class music education offered here combined with the focus on personal growth that ICC has always strived for with each individual singer won't be apparent this first week.
But.......after their child has been in a performance or two, after they've observed their child's choir director working with a passion that's palpable, after they've seen their child's self-esteem blossom - then they will understand the depth and breadth of ICC. Welcome!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Myths of the Indianapolis Children's Choir
Today I am headed out to the Marion County Fair to man the Indianapolis Children's Choir booth. This will be my second stint, as I was there last Friday as well.
ICC has not participated in any of the county fairs before, but we thought we would try this new venue to get the word out about our various programs.
Taking my place in Expo Hall across from the Culligan Man and his big faucet hanging in mid-air, I spent a few hours talking to folks. Those who are familiar with ICC had only positive things to say. A few alumni even stopped by to chat. Those who were not familiar with us were the ones that I was most interested in talking with, because these people I found had some common misperceptions about this wonderful organization. Here are the top 4:
1.) YOU HAVE TO BE A GOOD SINGER TO BE IN ICC. No, you do not. A child must have the ability to match-pitch. There are very few children who cannot do this. The very core of our mission is music education. ICC will teach them to sing well.
2.) ICC IS ONE BIG CHOIR. ICC is comprised of 19 separate choirs. Some practice on the campus of Butler University, and some practice in their hometown through our regional choir system. There are two Preparatory ensembles, (geared for the younger school-age child in grades 1 - 3), as well as First Steps in Music, a program for 3 to 5 year olds.
3.) THE TUITION COSTS TOO MUCH. ICC is one of the best music education values around. All tuition costs are for two semesters. Here is the breakdown:
Registration fee: $50
Regional choirs: $275
Preparatory Program & campus choirs rehearsing once per week: $365
All campus choirs rehearsing twice per week: $490
There are additional costs for a uniform, as well as the cost of the tickets for the families to see the professional performances that are in ICC's concert season. But the tuition averages to about $10 per rehearsal, which is very competitive for music lessons of any kind! Payment plans as well as financial aid is available.
4.) ICC MAKES THE KIDS TRAVEL INTERNATIONALLY. ICC has a long and proud tradition of touring around the globe, and performing is some of the world's finest venues. However, this is not mandatory. This is a choice each singer makes, and fundraising opportunities are made available to help supplement the cost.
I am getting ready to head off again to the fairgrounds, and in between chatting with my neighbors in Expo hall and running out for a funnel cake, I hope to debunk a few more ICC myths tonight.
ICC has not participated in any of the county fairs before, but we thought we would try this new venue to get the word out about our various programs.
Taking my place in Expo Hall across from the Culligan Man and his big faucet hanging in mid-air, I spent a few hours talking to folks. Those who are familiar with ICC had only positive things to say. A few alumni even stopped by to chat. Those who were not familiar with us were the ones that I was most interested in talking with, because these people I found had some common misperceptions about this wonderful organization. Here are the top 4:
1.) YOU HAVE TO BE A GOOD SINGER TO BE IN ICC. No, you do not. A child must have the ability to match-pitch. There are very few children who cannot do this. The very core of our mission is music education. ICC will teach them to sing well.
2.) ICC IS ONE BIG CHOIR. ICC is comprised of 19 separate choirs. Some practice on the campus of Butler University, and some practice in their hometown through our regional choir system. There are two Preparatory ensembles, (geared for the younger school-age child in grades 1 - 3), as well as First Steps in Music, a program for 3 to 5 year olds.
3.) THE TUITION COSTS TOO MUCH. ICC is one of the best music education values around. All tuition costs are for two semesters. Here is the breakdown:
Registration fee: $50
Regional choirs: $275
Preparatory Program & campus choirs rehearsing once per week: $365
All campus choirs rehearsing twice per week: $490
There are additional costs for a uniform, as well as the cost of the tickets for the families to see the professional performances that are in ICC's concert season. But the tuition averages to about $10 per rehearsal, which is very competitive for music lessons of any kind! Payment plans as well as financial aid is available.
4.) ICC MAKES THE KIDS TRAVEL INTERNATIONALLY. ICC has a long and proud tradition of touring around the globe, and performing is some of the world's finest venues. However, this is not mandatory. This is a choice each singer makes, and fundraising opportunities are made available to help supplement the cost.
I am getting ready to head off again to the fairgrounds, and in between chatting with my neighbors in Expo hall and running out for a funnel cake, I hope to debunk a few more ICC myths tonight.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
The Power of Music
I've been somewhat obsessed by the coverage Michael Jackson's passing. I think this is due to the fact that Thriller came out when I was a junior in high school, and it was huge. I remember it playing constantly on MTV, and even before the main attraction when we went to the movies. Then, a chance meeting with Brooke Shields gave me a brief insight into the real Michael Jackson. I grew up in New Jersey, and Brooke attended Peddie, a local private high school. My track team members and I once bumped into her at a track meet Peddie was hosting. As exciting as it was to meet her, we all wanted to know what Michael Jackson was REALLY like. She spoke so warmly about him, that from then on I always thought of him a little differently - as a guy who just really liked to sing.
His contributions to the entertainment industry changed the world. That's the power of music. It can change moods, change minds, and change hearts. The Indianapolis Children's Choir recently held a ceremony for its 2009 graduates. Part of the ceremony involved reading each graduate's answer to the following question: "What does ICC mean to me?" Elizabeth Bain, a six year member of ICC very eloquently said, "ICC means music to me. It is a common joy that flows through each and every one of us and bonds us in ways nothing else could."
Music does bond us. What else could explain all the recent attention on Michael Jackson? We all witnessed the making of one of the biggest stars on earth - brought to us by music.
His contributions to the entertainment industry changed the world. That's the power of music. It can change moods, change minds, and change hearts. The Indianapolis Children's Choir recently held a ceremony for its 2009 graduates. Part of the ceremony involved reading each graduate's answer to the following question: "What does ICC mean to me?" Elizabeth Bain, a six year member of ICC very eloquently said, "ICC means music to me. It is a common joy that flows through each and every one of us and bonds us in ways nothing else could."
Music does bond us. What else could explain all the recent attention on Michael Jackson? We all witnessed the making of one of the biggest stars on earth - brought to us by music.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Summer Camp - Full Steam Ahead!
It's been a busy week here, with Monday being the first day of the 2009 Indianapolis Children's Choir summer camp, "Summer Festival". Since this is my first year with ICC, I didn't quite know what to expect. I know there was lots of planning, and quite a bit of recruiting this year, but until I saw it for myself I couldn't quite grasp it.
On Monday, ICC began doing what it does better than any other organization: move hundreds of kids with ease. As parents dropped their children off, campers were given an information packet, a T-shirt and an assigned seat. Nervous parents and campers alike seemed to relax when they began to see how organized the system was. A huge hats off to Summer Festival coordinator Erin O'Rourke.
Promptly at 9am, the camp officially started. Our Director of Education Ruth Dwyer has a unique way of infusing enthusiasm into any audience, espcially an audience filled with children. Many other ICC directors were on hand to teach as well. As I roamed around to the different classrooms, I was surprised anew at the wealth of talent we have on our staff. By the end of Day 4, the campers really sound good!
I have a much better idea of our camp going into next year. Our campers don't come home with bug bites, crafts they've made or new stories to tell around the campfire ~ but they do come away with a glimpse into one of the best children's choirs in the world.
On Monday, ICC began doing what it does better than any other organization: move hundreds of kids with ease. As parents dropped their children off, campers were given an information packet, a T-shirt and an assigned seat. Nervous parents and campers alike seemed to relax when they began to see how organized the system was. A huge hats off to Summer Festival coordinator Erin O'Rourke.
Promptly at 9am, the camp officially started. Our Director of Education Ruth Dwyer has a unique way of infusing enthusiasm into any audience, espcially an audience filled with children. Many other ICC directors were on hand to teach as well. As I roamed around to the different classrooms, I was surprised anew at the wealth of talent we have on our staff. By the end of Day 4, the campers really sound good!
I have a much better idea of our camp going into next year. Our campers don't come home with bug bites, crafts they've made or new stories to tell around the campfire ~ but they do come away with a glimpse into one of the best children's choirs in the world.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Summer Camp
My summer camp experience consisted of a few days with a Girl Scout troop camping in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Lots of sand, pine needles, humid weather and bad camp fire stories about the Jersey Devil. I took away a new appreciation for air-conditioning, but not much else.
The experience that a young singer gets from Summer Festival, the week-long day camp of the Indianapolis Children's Choir, can be the beginning of a relationship with one of the largest, and most respected children's choirs in the world. This year our camp runs from June 15 - 20. And, in a constantly growing mix of summer camp offerings, Summer Festival is unique. Why?
* Summer Festival is the only HALF day camp in Indianapolis. Campers choose either a morning or an afternoon session.
* The camp culminates in a performance on one of the largest stages in central Indiana ~ Clowes Memorial Hall!
* Summer Festival is one of the oldest camp programs in Indianapolis, now in its 24th year.
If you have kids in your life who love to sing, give us a call. They'll have a great time, will be learning choral singing from some of the most highly trained music educators around, and won't come home with sand in their sleeping bag.
The experience that a young singer gets from Summer Festival, the week-long day camp of the Indianapolis Children's Choir, can be the beginning of a relationship with one of the largest, and most respected children's choirs in the world. This year our camp runs from June 15 - 20. And, in a constantly growing mix of summer camp offerings, Summer Festival is unique. Why?
* Summer Festival is the only HALF day camp in Indianapolis. Campers choose either a morning or an afternoon session.
* The camp culminates in a performance on one of the largest stages in central Indiana ~ Clowes Memorial Hall!
* Summer Festival is one of the oldest camp programs in Indianapolis, now in its 24th year.
If you have kids in your life who love to sing, give us a call. They'll have a great time, will be learning choral singing from some of the most highly trained music educators around, and won't come home with sand in their sleeping bag.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Singing in My Ear
Well, it finally happened. A tune sung by the Indianapolis Children's Choir has landed on my IPOD. The always entertaining "Oye", the brainchild of Jim Papoulis, had my toes tapping in the car on the ride home from work last night. We had three phenomenal concerts this weekend, (Hear Our Song on Saturday, and two performances of Spring Celebration on Sunday) and "Oye" was in the repertoire. A recording was made of Hear Our Song, and that's how it landed in my CD player on the way home, and eventually in my IPOD.
Since I am not in the generation that grew up with the IPOD, I do not have it constantly stuck in my ear, nor do I have multiple play lists. I have ONE play list, filled with upbeat music to keep me motivated during my semi-regular runs. Since there is always the danger of me thinking I can run farther than I am capable of, the IPOD and it's cache of music carry me through.
So tonight, I'll listen to "Oye" on my run ~ when the Indianapolis Children's Choir will be singing just for me.
Since I am not in the generation that grew up with the IPOD, I do not have it constantly stuck in my ear, nor do I have multiple play lists. I have ONE play list, filled with upbeat music to keep me motivated during my semi-regular runs. Since there is always the danger of me thinking I can run farther than I am capable of, the IPOD and it's cache of music carry me through.
So tonight, I'll listen to "Oye" on my run ~ when the Indianapolis Children's Choir will be singing just for me.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Choral Excellence in Columbus, Indiana!
Yesterday I ventured down to Columbus, Indiana for the "Voices of Spring" concert presented by the Columbus Indianapolis Children's Choir. Columbus is the oldest and most established of all of ICC's regional choirs, and the only one thus far to have split into two ensembles. With all of these accomplishments, I've been remiss at not making the trip sooner!
The concert, under the guidance of CICC's Artistic Director Ruth Dwyer, was a delight! The kids sounded great, and an appreciative audience was not only treated to the Columbus Descant and Concert choirs, but also the Indianapolis Youth Chorale. The CICC kids sang with a precision one doesn't normally hear from such young singers, and IYC treated the audience to an seemingly impossible eight-part Indian Raga. IYC Director Cheryl West said about two weeks ago her singers nearly threw in the towel with this piece. But they stuck with it, and it was not only a unique treat for the audience, but the younger singers as well. Something to aspire to. A great moment happened when Ruth Dwyer was introducing the IYC singers, and took time to ask "How many of you were ever in a 'Dwyer Choir'?" Nearly every IYC hand went up!
The concert ended with Ruth asking the audience to join all three choirs in singing Irving Berlin's "God Bless America." We can only speculate on why a Russian immigrant wrote such an inspiring tribute to the United States, so popular that a stirring rendition was sung by members of the United States Congress on the steps of the US Capitol on September 11, 2001. I would bet he wrote it, because as Ruth Dwyer told the audience "Music just makes us feel better." And yesterday afternoon, it certainly did.
The concert, under the guidance of CICC's Artistic Director Ruth Dwyer, was a delight! The kids sounded great, and an appreciative audience was not only treated to the Columbus Descant and Concert choirs, but also the Indianapolis Youth Chorale. The CICC kids sang with a precision one doesn't normally hear from such young singers, and IYC treated the audience to an seemingly impossible eight-part Indian Raga. IYC Director Cheryl West said about two weeks ago her singers nearly threw in the towel with this piece. But they stuck with it, and it was not only a unique treat for the audience, but the younger singers as well. Something to aspire to. A great moment happened when Ruth Dwyer was introducing the IYC singers, and took time to ask "How many of you were ever in a 'Dwyer Choir'?" Nearly every IYC hand went up!
The concert ended with Ruth asking the audience to join all three choirs in singing Irving Berlin's "God Bless America." We can only speculate on why a Russian immigrant wrote such an inspiring tribute to the United States, so popular that a stirring rendition was sung by members of the United States Congress on the steps of the US Capitol on September 11, 2001. I would bet he wrote it, because as Ruth Dwyer told the audience "Music just makes us feel better." And yesterday afternoon, it certainly did.
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