IMEA

IMEA…What does that stand for? Indiana Music Educators Association.

Why is it important? This convention is held each January for any Indiana Music Educator. The convention is filled with sessions to attend, concerts to attend and networking opportunities with music teachers from around the state. There is also a huge room full of booths from vendors who deal with music products, instruments and music. There are also booths from colleges in Indiana with music programs.

Why is this important to the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir? Obviously because we are in the business of making music! Our Concert Choir auditioned for and was selected to sing at this convention twice. Many of our singers have participated in the Children’s, Middle School or High School Honors Choirs. This year our previous Artistic Director, Fred Meads conducted the Children’s Honor Choir. Our own Mrs. Ator was the accompanist.

It’s also important to the FWCC because all of our music staff (directors and accompanists) attend this convention each year. They are committed to their trade and are looking for any opportunity to fine tune their craft, and to educate themselves in whatever is new in the world of music education. Our staff members utilize this information in their classrooms, but also bring what they’ve learned back to their choirs at the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir.

While we were there this year, we saw some of our former students in attendance that are now in college to become music teachers. They were there learning right along with the current teachers. One of our former directors was conducting a session. Three IPFW professors we know were conducting sessions. Another IPFW professor had written a song for FWCC a few years ago and that song was sung in the Children’s Choir Honor Choir and he met with the singers to talk about his piece. We also saw choir directors from community choirs from around the state we have worked with at previous choir exchanges.

We did have an opportunity to visit with Fred Meads while we were there and he is doing great at the American Boychoir School in Princeton, New Jersey. He wanted to know all about what the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir was up to and he wanted to let everyone know how much he thinks of us.

Music Education is part of the mission of the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir and we are proud of the music staff we have and how they continue to learn and help our singers strive for excellence. We are also very excited that the IMEA Convention will be held in Fort Wayne for the next three years. The President of the IMEA Board is on staff at IPFW and was very instrumental in securing Fort Wayne as the next site.

Thanks also go to you, the singers, parents and community for you continued support of the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir for supporting the school music programs as well.

a new year

Happy New Year!  We’ve all heard those words repeated over and over as we’ve entered 2010. It’s a new year with new resolutions and old ones that have been resurrected. We want to start the year fresh with anticipation of new and exciting opportunities and a renewed commitment to work hard and accomplish more than we did in 2009.

Following a much-needed holiday break, we’re starting fresh at the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir.  Rehearsals began last week, and choirs started learning new music.

New calendars were distributed. 
New office hours posted: Monday-Thursday 9:00-5:00, Friday 9:00-Noon.
A new email address announced:  info@fwcchoir.org.

Singers were reminded of goals they set early in the year:
Respect each other and their directors. 
Listen well. 
Practice. 
Be a team. 
Be on time. 
Have fun.

The next four months will be filled with rehearsals and performances and weather cancellations and fundraisers and many opportunities to learn new things about music and about each other. 

We hope you’ll keep reading here as we share the experience.  And leave us a comment to let us know how we’re doing. 

Happy New Year!

Still, Still, Still

Still, Still, Still
One can hear the falling snow
For all is hushed, the world is sleeping
Holy star its vigil keeping.
Still, still, still
One can hear the falling snow.

These lyrics are from a song in which two different versions were sung by the Lyric Choir and Youth Chorale at the recent Rejoice Concerts. As I sat at the piano turning pages, those lyrics seemed to strike me. The Fort Wayne Children’s Choir has been so busy this first semester that I was dreaming of the short break between Christmas and New Year’s when I can be still and hear the falling snow.

Part of the mission of the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir is to contribute to the community’s cultural offerings by providing opportunities to experience the unique beauty of professionally trained voices. As I think back over the last few months it has been an joy to serve our community. We have performed with or for the following:

Rally to Read
The Mayor’s Reception at Parkview Field
TinCaps Ball Game
IPFW Three Rivers Choral Festival
Harvest Concerts at First Presbyterian Church
The Nutcracker with the Fort Wayne Ballet and Fort Wayne Philharmonic
Rejoice Concerts at Holy Cross Lutheran Church
The Holiday Pops with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic
Children’s Choir of Huntington County Holiday Concert
Singing for residents of Georgetown Place
Singing for residents of Lutheran Life Villages
Singing for residents of Arbor Glen

As we look to the new year we will continue sharing our voices with the community with the following:

Lincoln Celebration with Heartland Chamber Chorale
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with the Civic Theatre
Mad Ants Basketball Game
FAME (Foundation for Art and Music in Elementary Education)
North Carolina Summer Institute of Choral Art

The rest of the mission of the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir is to provide a choral program that exemplifies artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. In addition to the many performances, watching the children in rehearsals is were the joy lies for the music and office staff. We rejoice with great joy during the holiday season and we are very thrilled when we see the singers learning all about music, creating a good team during rehearsals, displaying their confidence at a concert, respecting each other and the adults all while making beautiful music.

If you have been lucky enough to have attended one of the above events, I hope we gave you some joy to carry you through the Christmas season. If you haven’t, we invite you to attend one of the events for the New Year as we share the beauty of young voices with the community.

The last verse of Still, Still, Still is just as beautiful as the first, thinking about the joyous days to come with the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir in 2010.

Dream, dream, dream
Of the joyous day to come.
While guardian angels without number
Watch you as you sweetly slumber.
Dream, dream, dream
Of the joyous day to come.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Holidays

Janet Treadway
Director of Operations

December Delight

The FWCC has rushed into December, like Rudolph rushing to lead the reindeer on Christmas Eve.  Suddenly, the Christmas season is upon us, and we are excited about each opportunity that it brings.

As Mrs. A mentioned last week, the Lyric Choir began the holiday for us by performing at the Festival of Trees.  Their Christmas carols and seasonal songs got us all in the holiday spirit. Many singers and their families stayed at The Embassy to enjoy the display of beautifully (and creatively) decorated trees.

This past weekend, several members of the Concert Choir and Treble Choir were given the special treat of singing with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic as the Fort Wayne Ballet presented The Nutcracker.  This annual tradition is a highlight for our singers, and we are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such wonderful arts organizations.

Our annual Rejoice Concerts take place December 11 and 12, 7:30pm, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 3425 Crescent Avenue.  The Apprentice Choir, Lyric Choir, Youth Chorale, and Chamber Singers have prepared beautiful songs of the season and will invite the audience to join them in celebrating the joy of Christmas. Tickets are available at the door.

Coming up over the next two weeks, Concert Choir will  perform once again at the Fort Wayne Philharmonic’s Holiday POPS.  The FWCC has become part of this annual tradition in Fort Wayne, and we thank the Fort Wayne Philharmonic for welcoming us to The Embassy stage each year.   Call The Embassy box office (424-5665) to get tickets.

On December 12 at 7:30 pm, the Treble Choir will sing with the Children’s Choir of Huntington County where their director, Sharon Lehman, also directs the CCHC Treble Choir. We are excited for this opportunity to share the beauty of our singers’ voices with our friends in Huntington. 

The week of December 14, several of the choirs will be giving back to the Fort Wayne community by singing at retirement homes and for holiday parties.   They will also finish this first half of the year with much-deserved holiday parties. 

One of our staff counted a total of 34 rehearsals and performances for our choirs in the month of December.  Whew!  I’m exhausted just thinking about it. That’s a lot of hard work. But with the hard work comes delight.  Delight in being able to share the gift of beautiful young voices with hundreds, even thousands, of people in our community. Delight in seeing the smiles on people’s faces as they listen once again to familiar holiday songs. Delight in knowing that in the midst of this busy season we can bring joy and hope to all who hear our children sing.

Merry Christmas
Nancy Swanson, Administrative Assistant

November has 30 days…

Wow!   Can you believe that those 30 days are gone? Tomorrow is December 1st.

It’s been an exciting month of rehearsals and concerts. We began with a successful Three Rivers Youth Choral Festival at IPFW on Saturday, November 7. Our own Youth Chorale joined two area high schools and the IPFW University Singers for a great concert that afternoon conducted by guest director, Dr. Madlen Batchvarova.

The Annual Harvest Concerts were held this year at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Fort Wayne. Participating were the Treble Choir directed by Sharon Lehman; the Concert Choir, and the Youth Chorale, both directed by Timothy LaCroix. Both of these directors are new this fall, and we are so glad they have joined the FWCC team!Selections included patriotic songs, several folk song arrangements, “Rejoice and Sing” by Rollo Dilworth (which many singers had learned for the summer tour to Newfoundland), Robert Ray’s “He Never Failed Me Yet” with Guillaume, Dami and Megan as soloists, and the closing combined piece “I Dream a World” by Andre J. Thomas. Two other highlights were “Frobisher Bay” sung by the Youth Chorale women, and the Youth Chorale men singing “Marry a Woman Uglier than You” with Ryo singing a solo.

This past Sunday, the Lyric Choir sang at the Embassy’s Festival of Trees. Directed by Phyllis Boester, they provided holiday music for twenty-five minutes to a nice-sized audience. It was a good warm up for their appearance on the Rejoice Concert programs coming up December 11 and 12th at Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

Having just enjoyed a Thanksgiving Holiday, I must add that I am grateful to be acting as your Artistic Director this year while we search for a new Artistic Director. I might also say that we received a very thankful card from Mr. Meads. He is doing well in his new position at the ABC, and he loves being so close to NYC where he goes weekly to work with a children’s choir in Manhattan. He is so grateful to hear that the FWCC is alive and well! He does miss us, and we miss him, too!

I want to also share my gratitude to Denice Beights for accepting the Executive Directorship of the FWCC. She has been with us for nearly one month now, and we are so pleased to have her on our team. I encourage all singers and families to introduce yourselves to her. By the way, she studied saxophone with Dr. Ator for many years, so we have been friends for a long time!

Thanks for listening / reading my blog. I am thrilled to be such an active part of the FWCC, and I love you all!         Mrs. Ator

That Time of Year

It becoming “that time of year”. Yes, the holidays are coming but that’s not what I’m referring to. For The Fort Wayne Children’s Choir, “that time of year” is when we are very busy doing what we do….sing!

We begin our choir season with our choir camp, “Choralfest” which is a quick introduction of what we strive to accomplish with the choir. It is our mission to give our singers a good music education. Thus, rehearsals. Our rehearsals aren’t your typical, school or church choir rehearsal. Our rehearsals consist of warm-ups to properly train the voice and body along with teaching the methods of singing. Yes, they are learning songs, but that is only part of it.

Once the songs have been learned in the rehearsal, it is time to perform them during “that time of year”. On November 10, our Youth Chorale participated in and hosted the IPFW Three Rivers Choral Festival with two local high schools and the IPFW University Singers. Each choir had prepared prior to that day, but the day was spent rehearsing even more with a guest clinician and working on a couple songs all of the choirs would sing together. Once again, the rehearsal was not just singing but learning from a guest clinician, Madlen Batchvarona, who was born and raised in Hungary. She gave the singers a different perspective on the songs they were singing and how they could interpret the meaning with their voice.

This week we are in final preparations for our Harvest Concerts, Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21 at 7:30pm at First Presbyterian Church. On Friday, December 11 and Saturday, December 12 at 7:30pm we will present the Rejoice Concerts at HolyCrossLutheranChurch. In addition, we have a choir singing during the Fort Wayne Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, Lyric Choir will sing at the Embassy Theatre’s Festival of Trees, and Concert Choir will once again participate in the Fort Wayne Philharmonic’s Holiday Pops. Choirs are also performing at some private events and nursing homes, too.

But wait, there’s more! As we looked over our calendar for December, there are only three days in the first three weeks of December that the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir will NOT be rehearsing or performing. Now you can see why it becomes “that time of year”. We are so busy.

As three choirs rehearsed last night for the Harvest Concert I tried to look back and reflect on all that is going on with the choir before I get too busy to appreciate it.
The Fort Wayne Children’s Choir is going through a transition year with some new staff members and I realized last night that we are stronger that ever. As each choir rehearsed their songs you could see enthusiasm in the singers faces. They realize they are accomplishing something…something they have worked hard for and are excited to present their songs to family and friends. Three choirs came together as one for the final song and the younger ones looked to the older ones in awe and the high school singers I believe might have been reminiscing about what it was like to be a younger FWCC member. They all used their training to sing a glorious song titled “I Dream a World”.

In the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir we want the singers to realize that the songs they sing have meaning. The text or the song can make a difference and move different people in different ways. The composer had a reason to write the song. The composer of “I Dream a World”, Andre Thomas, wrote this song shortly after the 911 attacks and dedicated the song to those who gave their life that we might come together in peace. One line of the song is “I dream a world where black or white, whatever race you be, will share the bounties of the earth and every man is free”. What a powerful message for our young children to sing.

So as your “time of year” approaches, whatever it may be, take time to appreciate what goes on around you, celebrate our freedom and if you get a chance, enjoy the beauty of young singers voices. At the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir, we sure are.

Janet Treadway

Concert Choir Retreat

Well, the over 50 mosquito bites may be fading away but the memories of the Concert Choir Retreat will stay for quite awhile!

The Concert Choir traveled to Camp Lutherhaven in Albion for an overnight retreat to start the season. Friday evening began with a short walk around camp to help us orient ourselves to our new surroundings. This is the first year that we have held our annual retreat at Camp Lutherhaven. The mosquitos were very happy to see us arrive! We started out right away with a rehearsal session consisting of touching up songs from Choralfest and learning a few new ones. Mrs. Ator was very talented as a director and accompanist at the same time! Mrs. Boester also used some of the rehearsal time for theory and Kodaly training. Nothing like starting off the retreat with some hard work.

Following rehearsal, we had a campfire where obviously making s’mores was a highlight. Some liked them slightly toasty, some golden brown and some completely burnt! Then the singing began. Oddly enough, good ole campfire songs were replaced by Fort Wayne Children’s Choir repertoire!

Following the campfire we went back in the lodge and Mrs. Treadway started her infamous team building and get to know you games. We talked about how singing encompasses all of the senses and our games would help us figure out how using our senses can help us become better singers and performers.

Of course, sleep was required and thankfully for the chaperones, everyone went to sleep pretty quickly.

Saturday morning started out with a wonderful breakfast cooked by Mrs.Swanson and her great chaperone helpers including the Pancake King, Mr. Haywood. I think Mrs. Martin will now become the Scrambled Egg Queen. Mrs. Snow and Mrs. Sellers were also great helpers and definately kept us laughing. All seemed to enjoy the hearty breakfast before a day of hard work! Lots more rehearsal in the morning. Most of it was theory and Kodaly training with Mrs. Boester, Mrs. Ator and Mrs. LaCroix and the new members are finding out the Concert Choir is pretty hard.

Since the morning was filled with rehearsal, the afternoon was free of singing for awhile. We went to the outdoor shelter (the mosquitos went too)and each carpool group shared their song that they created on their drive to Camp Lutherhaven. They were to change the words to a Nursery Rhyme song to talk about retreat or Concert Choir. Very clever songs were produced! The singers were then separated by birthday month and given alot of crafty items to create a human float for a holiday parade. The parade was held with each month explaining the holiday they chose. Some were obvious to figure out from the decorations and some were very creative. I vote the Thanksgiving turkey made out of balloons and the September 11 Memorial two of the best! Of course, the Easter Bunnies were pretty cute, too. It was hard to pick a favorite. We hope to get pictures on the website soon. It is so wonderful for the adults to watch how the kids take each task and work together for a common goal. Once again the team building games worked and new friendships were created.

We then decided to let the mosquitos lead us to the woods to see the new Tree Top Village. It is a great place in the woods with a couple of cabins and open area built on stilts. There were steps to get up with a fireman’s pole and slide to come down. We had hoped to stay there awhile but, our friendly mosquitos convinced us to get out of the woods!

We were then treated to a couple folk dance lessons from Mrs. Boester. Some of the adults even joined in. I was very proud of the boys for particpating without complaining!! After the dancing there was free time for the kids to go down by the lake, play on the playgound, or just chill. The participants in the talent show rehearsed with Mrs. Ator and Mrs. Boester. Before dinner the music staff and Mrs. Treadway had an open discussion with the singers about the search for a new director. The search is all about finding the right director and doing right by the singers and we wanted to give them a voice. We asked them to share what they would expect in a new director and oddly enough the list is almost exact to what the music staff gave to the search committee. Smart kids!

Each year Mr. and Mrs.Swanson come up with wonderful creative ideas for dinner. This year was an All American Theme and the dinner area was decorated in red, white and blue on the tables, windows, walls, etc. Mr. Swanson cooked hot dogs and hambugers on the huge outdoor grill and the rest of the dinner crew prepared french fries, fruit, corn on the cob and Mrs. Swanson even baked pies while we were there. Following dinner, we shared a birthday celebration with Adrienne and had cupcakes for dessert.

Guess what was after dinner……..Rehearsal!! Following rehearsal we had the annual talent show. Many singers participated in singing, dancing, playing instruments and readings. Alot of wonderful The singers really learned alot in the two days they were there. They learned alot about how it is very hard to learn to read music but that it is a necessity to be a part of the team’s success. They learned that not everyone is alike but we can all be friends and work together. They learned that singing is more than just words coming out of their mouth, it takes their mind, body and soul to express what they sing. They learned that the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir cares about each one of them and strives to provide a great experience this choir season.

Each year we do this retreat is seems to get better. Thanks to the chaperones and staff, thanks to the drivers, and thanks to the wonderful members of the Concert Choir that always amaze me with their talent and personalities each year.

We’ll do it again next year! Hopefully next year the mosquitos won’t come.

Janet Treadway

a new year begins

The 2009-2010 season of the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir has officially begun. Each choir now has one rehearsal under its belt.  New singers (and parents) have figured out where to go and what the process is for getting started each week. Returning singers have found their new rehearsal spaces. All of the singers are getting reacquainted with each other and their directors.

Treble Choir began on September 27, under the direction of Sharon Lehman of the Children’s Choir of Huntington County.  Mrs. Lehman did some vocal exercises, talked with the singers about her expectations, and rehearsed the songs Treble Choir had learned at Choralfest. She kept the singers’ attention throughout the rehearsal, and many excitedly chatted with her at the end. Mrs. Lehman is joining the FWCC staff as interim director of the Treble Choir.

On Monday, August 31, the Concert Choir returned to Trinity English Lutheran Church for their first rehearsal led by Bob Hobby, Music Minister at Trinity. Mr. Hobby, a good friend of Mr. Meads, talked with the singers about how much they will miss Fred–how much he misses Fred–and encouraged them to work hard and be prepared to perform even better than last year.

Lyric Choir began their rehearsals on August 31, as well, under the direction of Phyllis Boester.  60 singers began the year with excitement and enthusiasm. About half of this group are new to the FWCC.  Mrs. Boester led them in solfege activities and helped them discover that they could figure out a song just by looking at the notes on the staff.

Later that week at the Concert Choir parent meeting, Mrs. Boester led the Concert Choir in several vocal and sight-reading exercises to show the parents some of what will be done in rehearsals this year. Directors will continue using the same Kodalyteaching that Mr. Meads established, and Mrs. Boester is well-trained in that method of vocal music education.  Mrs. Treadway led the parent meeting, joined by Rosemarie Bostelman of the FWCC Board of Directors. They urged parents to be encouraged that they are working diligently to find an interim director for Concert Choir and a permanent Artistic Director for the FWCC.

On Tuesday, September 1, both Apprentice Choir and Youth Chorale began their season. Youth Chorale members are familiar with the rehearsal routine but are adjusting to their new director, Tim LaCroix. They were excited to begin singing again and to learn more about what Mr. LaCroix has planned for this year. 

Susan LaCroix, director of Apprentice Choir, welcomed 40+ excited children to their first rehearsal. It was a fun 75 minutes of singing, remembering things they learned at Choralfest, and learning new things about each other. It’s going to be a great year for the Apprentice Choir.

So, that’s how the year has begun. The FWCC staff and Board are excited about what is ahead this year. Everyone is adjusting to having Mr. Meads gone and working together to continue the work he established.  Stay tuned here for regular updates on FWCC activities and announcements.

Days three and four in pictures

Thursday: t-shirts, tickets, take-home papers

Hi!  This is Mrs. Swanson (Nancy), and I’m writing from the perspective of the people in the office.  Most of my time throughout Choralfest is spent behind the scenes. But I get to say “hello” when singers arrive and “goodbye” at the end of the day. I chat with them at lunch and make sure they get their snacks each afternoon.

This week, I’ve been greeting the Apprentice and Lyric Choir members each morning as they arrive with smiles of anticipation on their faces.  Most of these singers are new to the FWCC this year, and it’s fun to learn their names and find out interesting little facts about them. They are quite surprised when I can remember their names after just a couple of days.

One of my jobs with the FWCC is to coordinate all of our volunteers throughout the year. We have nearly 30 parents helping us during Choralfest–assisting at rehearsals, watching over the children at lunch, and bandaging scraped knees. We couldn’t make it through this week without the help of dedicated parents, so THANK YOU to those who were able to help.  There will be opportunities throughout the year for each of our choir parents to assist us in some way.

Another big part of my job during Choralfest is answering phone calls and returning messages. Mrs. Treadway and I spend a lot of time running from rehearsals to team-building to drama to chimes, and  we do our best to respond to your questions as quickly as possible.  We work hard to communicate with you through our blog, email and take-home papers.

Today was t-shirt, tickets, and take-home paper day.  Each singer received a Choralfest 2009 t-shirt, designed by Mr. Swanson and Erica Treadway. The t-shirts are worn at our Choralfest concert and throughout the year for special events.

Tickets were distributed, today, to singers who will be singing the National Anthem at the August 18th TinCaps game.  They’ve been rehearsing in combined rehearsal, and we’ll all get to hear them at the concert tomorrow night. There will be nearly 100 FWCC members performing at the game; I think we’re setting a record!

Thursday of Choralfest is the day when we send home information about the Choralfest concert, when rehearsals begin and where they will be held, and a schedule of major concerts for the year.

I haven’t been able to spend much time listening to the singers in their rehearsals, so it’s going to be a fun to hear their lovely voices and the selections their directors and Mr. Page have been teaching them.  The kids have worked hard to learn words and music and movement, and I know they will give a wonderful concert for their families and friends.  And, there is always the surprise performance by the boys choir. I wonder what they’ll do this year.

We’ll get more pictures up this weekend, along with a Friday Finale from Mrs. Treadway.

Thanks for sharing your wonderful children with us. It’s been a great Choralfest 2009.