Project Grant

The Youth Chorale of Central Minnesota is the only choir specifically for high school singers in a 90-mile radius. There is nothing like this program in the Central Minnesota area, and for our singers who live in rural communities, this is a special and unique opportunity to be a part of an organization that prepares select high school singers for performances of the highest caliber for the widest possible audience. Youth Chorale of Central Minnesota is not just æanotherÆ high school singing group, either -our singers drive from near and far to participate in an organization that values high artistic quality and the opportunity to perform with other professional ensembles. The locations for rehearsals and the final performance are centrally-located and accessible so as to make it easier for youth, parents, and concert patrons from outlying areas to attend. Youth Sing Out promotes teamwork. Youth Sing Out promotes collaboration. Each respective choir director teaches fundamental music to the singers during the rehearsals leading up to the performance with high expectations for artistic quality. Singers gain increased self-confidence through rehearsals and performances and a sense of achievement when they know that they have performed well. This type of project also teaches youth that by working together, a choir produces one tremendous sound that one person alone cannot accomplish. It develops and encourages an interest and passion for the arts amongst the singers û they support each other, are able to see and hear the quality sound that is produced, and most certainly, by listening to the other choirs perform, they learn new skills to take back and use in future musical opportunities. Additionally, Youth Chorale provides young singers from The St. JohnÆs BoysÆ Choir and Cantabile GirlsÆ the opportunity to move on to another high artistic organization once they have graduated from their respective choir. Once in 9th grade, they can audition for a spot to become a part of Youth Chorale of Central Minnesota.One of the ways to measure our goals is simply through observation û verbal audience reaction, verbal feedback from choir families, ticket sales, and support from the community. Following the concert, and in the weeks to come, the feedback from the children and parents alike will help us determine if our goals were successful, or if anything different needs to be done in preparation for next yearÆs collaborative concert. Another way to measure is that following the concert, singers will then take the skills they learned from rehearsals and performing back to their respective classrooms, places of worship, or community groups. The opportunity for young people to interact with other children who love to sing, and the sustenance and further development of a cultural, musical, community are all benefits we expect to achieve from this project. In addition, our goal to promote a life-long involvement in music can be measured by the number of singers participating in their college choirs and/or choosing music as their career, auditioning for musical theater in their hometowns, and singing at their places of worship. They have a love of singing and are willing to showcase their talents in their communities. There are a number of Youth Chorale of Central Minnesota, St. JohnÆs BoysÆ Choir, and Cantabile GirlsÆ Choir members who have taken it upon themselves to get involved in their communities outside of regular rehearsals.