GR Symphony Organizes New Youth Choruses
2008-01-17
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Jan. 17, 2008–Today the Grand Rapids Symphony Board approved the creation a new affiliate organization: The Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Choruses, presented by Legacy Trust. The organization will include the Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Chorus, which will perform with the Symphony, and a Junior Chorus–a training ensemble for the Youth Chorus.
The 50-voice Chorus, currently known as the Grand Rapids Youth Chorus, will join the Grand Rapids Symphony for Benjamin Britten’s “War Requiem,” on March 14 and 15, 2008 in DeVos Performance Hall. Beginning with the 2008-2009 Season, the group’s name will officially become the “Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Chorus.”
“The Grand Rapids Symphony often performs works that call for the voices of young people,” Symphony Music Director David Lockington said. “This new Youth Chorus will join the orchestra for at least one work each season on either the Richard and Helen DeVos Classical Series, or Rising Stars Series, as well as the Fifth Third Holiday Pops.” The Youth Chorus is directed by Sean Ivory, a vocal music instructor at Forest Hills Central High School. Ivory explained that Chorus members will receive an exceptionally high level of instruction. “They will be classically trained and sing classical literature,” he said. “They’ll also have the rare opportunity as young people to perform with a full-time, professional orchestra¬¬–the Grand Rapids Symphony.”
Legacy Trust CEO William Walker said the company is delighted to be the primary sponsor of this new initiative. “Our firm has a strong commitment to support programs in West Michigan that benefit children, education and the arts. I can think of no better endeavor than these new Choruses that touch all three of these crucial areas.”
Commitment to Music Education
Symphony President Melia Tourangeau said throughout its history the Grand Rapids Symphony has been committed to providing music education for the youth of the West Michigan. “Along with our Artists-In-Residence Program in the schools, annual Fifth Grade Concerts, Family Series, Lollipop Concerts and the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony, this new choral initiative demonstrates that we are increasing our connection to children and youth. In addition, studies show that children who sing in a choir or play an instrument are more likely to attend orchestral concerts as adults. This added commitment to music education and participation in the art form will help build our audiences of tomorrow.”
The Grand Rapids Youth Chorus, which includes local ninth through twelfth graders, has been rehearsing since fall and presented a concert in December at St. Alphonsus Church in Grand Rapids. This summer the Youth Chorus members will also have the opportunity to attend a week-long music camp.
The Junior Chorus performed in the Grand Rapids Ballet Company’s presentation of “The Nutcracker,” and includes area third through eighth graders. Jackie Sonderfan Schoon, a music teacher at Meadowbrook Elementary School, is the director of the Junior Chorus.
Both Choruses rehearse weekly at Kuyper College in Grand Rapids and are looking for new members. Placement is by audition. Tuition will be charged to pay operation expenses. Tuition for the Youth Chorus is $550 and tuition for the junior chorus is $475. A limited number of scholarships will be funded by Legacy Trust.
Along with the Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Choruses, the Symphony has three other affiliate organizations: the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, Grand Rapids Symphony Women’s Committee and Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and Classical Orchestra.
For more information about the new Choruses call Joe Herdegen at the Grand Rapids Symphony at 616/454-9451, Ext. 140, or online visit gryc.org or grsymphony.org.
Grand Rapids Symphony concerts are made possible with support from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.