To Boston with Love…

You’ve read about my travels with the CCC and how many of my lifelong friendships were formed on these trips.  When I tell you I still speak to people from around the world, I’m not kidding.  The International and “Bridging America” tours do so much more than just give the opportunities of traveling to singers who might not otherwise do so.

With the recent events in Boston, some of our singers wanted to send a little love to their friends at the Boston City Singers.  To Boston with Love was sent by Mollie Stone and a small group of the Hyde Park Neighborhood Choir.  “We’ve been thinking of you this past week, and want you to know that Chicago Children’s Choir stands with you in this time of tragedy and loss. We are inspired by Boston’s strength. We are sending our love, and wishes for healing to all of you.”

I think the message speaks to the character of the children who come through our programs.  This is what I know we can foster in the Englewood community.  There are plenty of children who are thinking of how they can change the world and all they need is a place to explore how to do that.  For those who are choosing to do it through music, we are giving them a place to do so.  Our 9th Neighborhood Choir will be launching next year and you can help make sure it’s doors are open for the entire first year by making a contribution to our Singers for Singers campaign.  For more information, please visit Ms Jackie’s Page.

Give a little bit…

Give a little bit; give a little bit of your love to me
I’ll give a little bit; I’ll give a little bit of my love to you
There’s so much that we need to share so send a smile and show you care

You get the gist of what the song is saying.  We tend to wonder what we can do to make a difference when we see something that needs change.  I think the song says it best – give a little bit.  So that’s what I’m asking you to do today in a movement to bring change into one of Chicago’s communities – Englewood.

Every child has a right to arts education. Chicago Children’s Choir makes this possible for nearly 3,500 children all over the city. Our singers have been blessed with the gift of music, but not all children are so lucky. We can change that.

Chicago Children’s Choir is starting a new Neighborhood Choir Program in Englewood this fall. Englewood has been home to many musical artists, including Jennifer Hudson and Ernest Dawkins. Bringing the Choir to Englewood will help train the next generation of musicians and leaders, giving them a safe place for expression and creativity.

To help launch our new program in Englewood, we have created our first individual giving campaign that will allow our singers, families, staff, and alumni to contribute—sending our children a message about the value of giving back to society. Chicago Children’s Choir is committed to making programs affordable for all families, especially in the most underserved communities in the city. The Choir’s goal is to raise $100,000 to launch and operate the Englewood Neighborhood Choir Program for one year.

Please consider going to my fundraising page and making a contribution. Remember that every gift – large or small – makes a difference!

To learn more and contribute:

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/jackie-johnson-4/paint-the-town-red

Related articles

• Paint the Town Red 2013 (msjaxccc.wordpress.com)

 

Paint the Town Red 2013

Picture it:  Downtown Chicago; Pritzker Pavillion in Millennium Park; 3,500 children united in song inspiring peace.  Can you see it?  Can you hear it?

May 15th will be filled with those exact images and sounds as Chicago Children’s Choir presents its annual Paint the Town Red.  Though every year has a theme, this year’s is in tune with what is going on with our city.  Arts programs have been taken out of schools and the violence in the city has increased immensely.  The question of “What can we do?” is constantly being asked with no viable answers being given.  Chicago Children’s Choir is answering that question by showing what is being done and has been done for 56 years.

“This year’s Paint the Town Red will empower our nearly 3,500 singers to create a more peaceful Chicago.  In connection with this mission, the event will raise awareness and support for the opening our ninth Neighborhood Choir Program in Englewood. Through music, our singers will connect with one another and gain an appreciation for the rich diversity our city has to offer.”

In a time where it seems like all you hear about is negativity in our city, isn’t it time to highlight what’s good?  Chicago Children’s Choir is affecting the lives of 3,500 children through music.  The Choir is opening a 9th Neighborhood Choir program in an area where crime and violence is all many know about it and hoping to create some positive changes in the view of that area – Englewood.  There are kids who come together from all parts of the city because they all love to do the same thing – sing.  Isn’t that reason enough for you to take some time on May 15th to come downtown and support these children?

May 15, 2013, Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, 11:00 am.

Be there!

Performances on deck…

Lincoln Trio, along with Arianna Zukerman and clarinetist Bharat Chandra featured artists to perform “Annelies”

 

Our Concert Choir singers have returned from India and have gone straight into preparing for tomorrow’s Ravinia Festival performance of Annelies.  Annelies is the choral setting of The Diary of Anne Frank.  I’ve got to tell you, if you’re one of the lucky people to have tickets to this sold out performance, be prepared for haunting passages that will send chills up your spine.   There will be another opportunity to hear this work in June at the Harris Theater so stay tuned!

 

Next Sunday, 300 members of our Neighborhood Choirs, DiMension, and Concert Choir will be at the Copernicus Center for World Music Festival!  The singers will spend the day learning music from around the world and end with a concert.  It’s free and open to the public so come on by!  For more info, visit http://www.ccchoir.org/events/wmf-2013.html.

The Target Community Concert Series is still going on throughout the year with the next performance to feature the Lincoln Park/DePaul Neighborhood Choir.  Thanks to the generosity of Target, these concerts are free and open to the public.  Please feel free to come hear our singers as they perform repertoire from around the world and various genres like gospel and pop favorites.  Need more info, check out  http://www.ccchoir.org/events/lptarget.html.

 

Black History Month Concert – Day 1

1000 voices joined in song at Navy Pier

Today began our 3 day series of performances by our In-School Choirs at Navy Pier celebrating Black History.  The theme this year is the marking of the 50th Anniversary of the March on Birmingham.  The first of many “Magical Musical Moments” for me today was one of silence.  1000 children, their school chaperones, family and onlookers stood and sat in complete silence as a video clip of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech was played.  Then, tiny, yet powerful, voices began to sing.

The day was filled with music from the Civil Rights era and around the world.  Pieces like “Imagine” by John Lennon, “Wake Up Everybody” by Teddy Pendergrass, and “Times Are A’changin'” by Bob Dylan are just a sampling of the inspirational music being sung children; some as young as 8 years old. Imagine hearing 50 small singers ask the question ” How many years can some people exist before they’re allowed to be free?”  Peter, Paul and Mary asked it 1966 and the question still rings true today.  I sat in awe as history was brought to life through the voices of Chicago’s youth.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”  

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Birmingham jail cell *photo subject to copyright*

Dr. King stated this in his Letter from a Birmingham Jail.  Josephine Lee, President and Artistic Director of the Chicago Children’s Choir used this as the theme for her speech to the  children today.  50 years later, we are still fighting for certain freedoms.  She spoke to the singers about a recent censorship experienced by the Choir while on tour in India.  She spoke about the decisions made from that censorship and how “We Shall Overcome” brought the crowd to its feet as they sang along with the Concert Choir.  She reminded the singers of their role as “Ambassadors of Change” and their duty to go into the world and “lead in love”.

There are two more opportunities for you to have your own “Magical Musical Moments” at Navy Pier.  Join us in the Grand Ballroom and be forever changed by the sound of children singing music and maybe learn something you didn’t already know.  The concerts are Thursday, Feb. 14th and Friday, Feb. 15th at 11 am; free and open to the public.  I genuinely hope to see you there.

Until next time…

Upcoming Events for the CCC

Photo by Justin Barbin

People are still talking about the vibrant performances of Sita Ram and rightfully so, though I’ll admit that I’m a little biased.  You can see some awesome photos from the performances and the opening night party as featured on the Huffington Post.com.  On January 24th, the Concert Choir will take parts of Sita Ram along with a well-rounded selection of world repertoire to India. The Choir announced plans for the tour and concerts in the Indian cities of Jaipur, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai at the Eye on India Festival in Chicago, an event that provides a platform for cultural, artistic and educational exchange, collaboration and understanding between India and the US.

While the Concert Choir is performing in India, a select group of Neighborhood Choir singers will be participating in the Lyric Opera of Chicago‘s run of Puccini‘s “La Boheme“.  Opening on Monday, January 21st, 18 singers will portray a lively bunch of children in the 2nd act of this classic tale of love and loss.  They will participate in the full run of the show through March 28th.  For more info and to purchase tickets, visit the Lyric Opera of Chicago website.

Next week, we will be hosting All Sing Days at our Neighborhood Choir locations.  Singers who are 8 years old (in 3rd grade) and older are invited to join us in a rehearsal and audition to join us during the current Spring Semester.  For information on times and locations of All Sing Day, please visit the Chicago Children’s Choir website.

Talk about your sweet gig –  Chocolate is Love is coming on February 10th!  This annual parent-run fundraiser raises funds that directly supports our singers through tour scholarships and tuition assistance programs.  Come be one of 300 Choir family, friends, and supporters as we enjoy awesome performances, fancy luxury raffles, and of course desserts!  Check out our Chocolate is Love page to purchase tickets and view fun photos from last year’s event.

This is just the beginning!  There’s a lot more coming up this season and it’s going to be great.  You can always stop by here to check out what’s coming or visit ccchoir.org/events to find out where the Choir will be performing.  Thanks again for stopping by and as always, keep singing!

From the man himself…

 

 

As they are in the beginning of the 56th year at the Chicago Children’s Choir, I thought it would be great to share this interview from “Community Profiles”. You can hear the Reverend Christopher Moore speak about the Choir and the work they’re doing in the 23rd season. I’d like to think that he would be very proud of the growth of the organization and the work we’re doing with the children of Chicago & the Chicago-land areas.

Take a listen & please feel free to share what you think! Thanks so much to Sarah McQuaid for finding this interview and allowing me to share this with you all. As always readers, keep singing!

 

Coming to a close…

June 3, 2012 – Final concert for the Beverly Neighborhood Choir

June 4, 2012 – Concert Choir Singer Appreciation Dinner

June 5, 2012 – Final evaluations for Beverly Neighborhood Choir

Just a few calendar items that show that we’re towards the end of another successful season here at the Chicago Children’s Choir.  We’ve had a great run serving almost 3000 singers this year.  Another year of sharing our mission to the youth of the city, thus making them ambassadors of Chicago.  I am proud to say that I got to be a part of it yet again.

Our Beverly Neighborhood Choir had a wonderful end to their season this year.  Held at Barnard Academy, our Allegro & Vivace members were joined by the In-School Choir members to perform.  They sang pieces from our core repertoire like Revelations 19 and Jubilate Deo as well as pieces from around the world.  The Allegro singers even got a standing ovation for their rendition of “Go the Distance” from Disney’s Hercules.  Our parents put out wonderful treats for a reception which was held while Mr. Grace auditioned singers to join Beverly in the fall.

As 2012 comes to a close, it also means saying goodbye to the graduating Senior class members of the Concert Choir.  It is at the Singer Appreciation Dinner where they say their formal goodbyes to the CCC staff and members that they are leaving behind to begin the next leg of their life journeys.  Some tears are shed as the realization hits some members  right away that they are saying goodbye to an organization that they have been a part of for, in many cases, quite some time.  Some give speeches, others find that they can’t give voice to words to say goodbye.  Yet others refuse to let it sink in until their absolute final performance which for some will be in Italy this summer.  It’s always a moving experience and a time that is special for all involved.

Though the year is ending, it’s really just the start of the next season.  New singers will join the CCC in the fall (we’ve already held auditions & will hold more again) and rehearsals will be starting before we know it.  If you don’t hear from me for a while, it’s just because I’m helping the CCC team prepare for all the good things to come in the 2012-13 season.  So enjoy your summer readers and as always, keep singing!

For the woman who taught me Dodi Li

I sadly heard the news last night that a wonderful conductor I had the pleasure of learning from has passed away.  Lucy Ding had come to us at the Chicago Children’s Choir from the Glen Ellyn Children’s Choir and was a vibrant, energetic conductor who demanded us to be the best.  When her face wasn’t showing a furrowed brow of concentration while teaching us to sing, it was glowing with a sweet smile and joined by gentle laughter.

Lucy will be greatly missed, I’m sure, by many a student she taught and colleagues that  she worked with.  My deepest condolences go out to her family and friends.  I am saddened to know that she is gone but glad that she is no longer hurting and had a great support system as she dealt with her cancer.

Lucy’s family has been updating her blog with information about her services.  Please visit http://graciousfire.wordpress.com for the most up to date information.  Please share with any others whom you know would like to know.

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Alumni Profile: David Perez

There are always people, places, and things you remember when you’re a performer or a staff member working with performers.  Some people’s energy is contagious and that rings true for this particular alum.  I remember having to tell the gentleman in today’s profile to ensure that his energy helped those around him.  David Perez takes a moment to tell us his story about his time in the Chicago Children’s Choir.

MSJCCC:  Hey David!  How are you?

DP:  I’m great Ms. Jackie.  How are you?

MSJCCC:  I’m wonderful.  Let me say thanks for taking time to tell the readers about your time in CCC.  Why don’t we get started?

DP:  No doubt!  What do you wanna know first?

MSJCCC:  Introduce yourself to the readers for me.

DP:  Hey everyone, I’m David Perez. [waves]

David (right) is shown here with his Alaska Tour roommate, Hunter.

MSJCCC:  [Chuckles] Dave, they can’t see you waving.  How long were you a member of the CCC?

DP:  I was in for a total of 7 years, from 2003-2010.  I began as a student in the Choir Academy and then joined Concert Choir in 2004.

MSJCCC:  Can you share with us a favorite memory of your time in the Choir?

DP:  In my final year, I was a part of the Show Choir. In the 2010 fall concert, I showed off a little more talent by beatboxing along with a fellow alumn, Neil Geistlinger.  It was always fun to have another talent highlighted along with my passion for singing and performing.

MSJCCC:  That is pretty cool.  I always loved when I’d be working behind the scenes at dress rehearsals and seeing what you guys had come up with for concerts including members of the Choir who would play instruments or just jam out on pieces.  That is a fun perk of being in CCC.  Did you go on any tours?

DP:  Let’s see – I went on the Prague Tour, the Freedom Tour, the South Korea Tour, the South American Tour, and finally, the Alaska Tour.

MSJCCC:  You really got to travel the world!  That is great.  Alright, take a moment to think about this one.  What was your biggest take-away from being a member of the CCC?  What did you learn?

DP: I guess I could say that CCC started to shape the person that I am today. My seven years in the Choir has helped me understand music more. During my final years, I was able to show in my body what the music was trying to say [in my own way]. With the help of the Choir, I became more outgoing and started to become a leader. I am now able to stand out and help make a difference.

MSJCCC:  That is wonderful, David.  What are you doing these days?

DP: I am currently attending Columbia College in Chicago with a Vocal Performance Major and an Acting Minor.

MSJCCC:  I love it!  A performer working to perfect his craft.  Anything you’d like to share with the readers?

DP:  Believe in yourselves. Don’t be afraid to dream, try, and do good. Strive and work hard to reach your dreams. Oh yeah, don’t forget to have fun in life!

MSJCCC:  David, it was so much fun catching up!  Thanks again for sharing your story with us today.  Readers, thanks for stopping by and everyone remember…Keep singing!