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| thumb|center|ChildrenSong logo | |
| Founded | 2000 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Polly Murray |
| Type | Educational Charity |
| Focus | Choral Music education and performance |
| Location | |
Area served | South Jersey, U.S. |
Members | c. 100 |
Key people | Polly Murray, Founding Artistic Director; Patricia Januszewski, Vocal Coach; Nicholas Watts, Accompanist |
| Employees | 3 |
| Website | www.childrensong.org |
ChildrenSong of New Jersey is a choral music education and performance program based in Haddonfield, New Jersey. The program serves children between the ages of 8 and 18 in Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester counties. The organization's mission is to provide quality music instruction with the goal of attaining the highest level of artistic excellence in choral music performance. The Chorus is in residence at Haddonfield Middle School in Haddonfield.
History of the Organization
editThe Chorus endeavors to enrich the lives of children from all religious, racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds. A special effort is made to serve children who have limited opportunities for such experiences due to the circumstances of their schooling.
ChildrenSong, now in its 10th year, has performed at the Washington National Cathedral, Kimmel Center, the Atlantic City Convention Center, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, the Orff-Schulwerk Association National Conference in Rochester, NY, the Tropicana Resort in Atlantic City, the Philadelphia Zoo, the Camden Children's Garden, the Camden Tweeter Center, Saint Joseph's Oratory (Montreal), St. Paul's Basilica (Toronto), the Trapp Family Lodge (Stowe, VT), and at Canterbury Cathedral (England).
ChildrenSong has performed with nationally-known composer/performer Paul Winter, internationally-known soprano Julianne Baird, members of the Broadway show The Lion King, the Academy of Vocal Arts, the Haddonfield Symphony (now Symphony in C), and the Philadelphia Orchestra. They have also performed under the direction of Doreen Rao and Bob Chilcott. Choristers have performed in a commercial for Korean Air Lines and participated in a recording session for the song Rocket Man by Elton John to accompany a book about runner Steve Prefontaine by author Bree T. Donovan.[1] [2]
The chorus has been featured in media, including Classroom Closeup NJ[3], a production of NJN Public Television.
The Chorus also hosts educational events for area teachers and students, including the annual Children's Songfest and various teacher workshops.
Through its music activities, ChildrenSong fosters the personal and social growth of its members and promotes their sense of self-esteem. It gives children a feeling of accomplishment and pride and exposes them to the values and benefits of other societies through multicultural music.
ChildrenSong of New Jersey's choral sound is rooted in the traditions of the classic children's chorus. It is a choral tone that cultivates the celebrated clear tone of the English boychoir but transcends it to include the vibrant qualities and heady vocal sounds of American youth. The repertoire draws from a broad range of musical genre both international and multicultural.
A number of activities occur in support of the organization and its mission. ChildrenSong of New Jersey is a volunteer-run organization, staffed through a network of committees. The parent volunteers handle the operations of the Chorus. Critical operations include practice and performance management, control of various ChildrenSong assets including music and finances, uniforms, public relations, travel and tour logistics, and logistics associated with specific fundraising events.
Organization Structure
editChildrenSong is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The organization's business operation is governed by an appointed Board of Trustees while the artistic operation is governed by the Artistic Director. The Artistic Director is also a voting member of the Board of Trustees.
Program Structure
editChildrenSong currently consists of three ensembles: Concert Choir (advanced level), Allegro Choir (intermediate level), and Prelude Choir (beginner level). In past years the organization attempted to expand its offerings to kindergarten/pre-kindergarten level with KinderSong a program based on Kodály and Orff-Schulwerk methodologies. In addition, the chorus has at times included a program called Cantate Singers, an advanced ensemble including boys with changed voices.
Commissioned Works
editThe ChildrenSong organization has regularly commissioned choral works in order to expand the available repertoire. Commissioned works include:
| Year | Title | Composer | Lyricist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Together in Song | Frank Staneck | Chorister Rosemary Quigley |
| 2009 | When I Sing to Make You Dance | Michael Trotta | Rabindranath Tagore |
| 2008 | Ho Hosanna | Robert Cohen | Robert Cohen |
| 2007 | Ode to a Toad | Robert Cohen | Robert Cohen |
| 2007 | My Singing Bird | Robert Cohen | Robert Cohen |
| 2003 | What Child is This? | Dean Rishel | Traditional |
| 2003 | Snow Song | Dean Rishel | Traditional |
| 2003 | Personent Hodie | Dean Rishel | Traditional |
| 2001 | Pillar of Peace | Dean Rishel | Chorister Dana Manochi |
| 2001 | Twilight at Sea | Dean Rishel | Chorister Emily Westfield |
References
edit- ^ Henry, Cynthia (22 June 2008). "Prefontaine inspires teen book". Amateur Athletic Union News. GoSports Media Network. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
Donovan was delighted when ChildrenSong, a 100-member, by-audition group, agreed to participate in the project, she said. The group's concert choir, consisting of 12- to 18-year-olds, practiced for two months beginning in August, then recorded at the Tatem School, where it rehearses.
- ^ Gunther, John (27 October 2007). "Book, recording highlight Pre, benefit his old school". The World. South Oregon: Lee Enterprises. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
The added bonus for Donovan was when the singers in the group ChildrenSong agreed to help out with a recording of Elton John's song "Rocket Man" to go along with the book, knowing they would be helping the students in Coos Bay.
- ^ Classroom Closeup NJ, Show #14. Trenton, New Jersey: NJN Public Television. 23 February 2004 http://www.njn.net/television/njnseries/classroomcloseup/season03-04/2003-04-14.html. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
Students ages 7 to 17 from schools in Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester counties participate in a choral music group called ChildrenSong. In addition to performing, the students attend workshops including one on African drums.
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External links
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