My youngest child – an almost 14-year-old girl – has had the great fortune to sing in a really good community children’s choir for the past several years. This summer, the senior and chamber choirs have been invited to compete in the championship level of the World Choir Games in Riga, Latvia (another blog post altogether!). The choir came home with two gold medal standings the last time they competed in these games.
Love of music shows up in the wall
decal above my daughter’s bed.
I had no idea, when she began at the age of 8, that we were starting down the path of what turned out to be the choral equivalent of competitive hockey. Rehearsals, competitions, training festivals, performances – it’s been demanding, but she loves it.
The boys aren’t left out; choral singing is not just for girls.. They younger boys sing in both the regular choirs, and the organization’s newest choir (I love this video!) gives young men a place to sing both before and after their voices have changed.
Not only are the choristers learning and growing, they are also offered lots of leadership opportunities to mentor young singers. Volunteer opportunities abound for these amazing young people, whether it’s helping out with the younger choirs or spending time working with music therapy programs for children with disabilities.
I share my daughter’s love of choral singing, and it’s been a joy to watch her grow musically through her years with this choir. I have no formal music training, and quietly sitting quietly in the back over the years has been a good learning experience for me as well – better vocal technique and articulation are just some of what it’s given me as a side benefit.
My daughter sings alto – as do both I and her grandmother before her – and she agrees with me that part of the joy of singing this lower part is adding depth and contrast into a piece of music. You need the melody, of course, but the harmony parts add the weft to the melody’s weave. We like to think we make it more interesting for the listener, even if it’s sometimes a challenge to learn.
I’m excited for her and this chance to tour internationally, if a little jealous that I can’t tag along. But more than that, I’m really pleased that the organization is specifically planning a charity concert as part of the trip. They will be singing in a church in Estonia, with proceeds going to a local charity. These girls (and the couple of boys whose voices haven’t yet changed) are very fortunate to have this opportunity, and the chance to give back is another good lesson for them.
How do you find opportunities for your children to give back?
