The youth traveled to the Administration Building, Perkins
Heritage Home and Johnson Student Center to perform Christmas carols and
brighten the day for staff. After the
caroling, the students were treated to hot chocolate and refreshments in the
JSC lobby.
Caroling provided the youth with some extra practice before
they perform for the Carols and Candles worship service on Dec. 19. During the
service, the choir also plans to perform a special Christmas carol remix including a beat created by choir
member Patrick and a rap written as a group effort by the choir members. The
MCH Drum Line will assist with the performance of the remix.
The choir consists of 10 students led by recreation
coordinator Kimberly Bobbitt and choir instructor Amy Toney. The youth have
been singing together since September 2013 as part of an after-school recreation
program. They first met informally to discuss their objectives and assess the
students’ experience with singing in a choir. Toney said initially, the
students greatest concern was singing in front of people, a fear they met head
on during the caroling and in class.
This year Toney and Bobbitt have taught the students lessons
on basic music theory, note reading, and vocal health. The choir has also
participated in fun activities such as karaoke, sing-offs and music charades as
well as singing challenges. The choir has taken group trips to view advanced
groups such as the Baylor a cappella group Virtuoso, to help the students to
see what their hard work can accomplish.
“The students have worked hard in choir,” Bobbit said. “For
me one of the most rewarding aspects of choir this semester has been that even
on days when it is challenging for the students to work together, once they
start singing the dissonance is gone because the whole room is then working to
build musical harmony. Those melodies, and the joy that singing them creates,
make it all worth it.”
Next semester, the MCH choir will be preparing for the TCAL
competition in April where they will compete in solo and ensemble contests.
Congratulations to our choir for all their hard work!
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