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https://www.manisteenews.com/local-news/article/Local-group-looking-to-start-children-s-chorus-14205816.php
Local group looking to start children's chorus
Ken Grabowski
Published 12:10 am EST, Saturday, January 25, 2014
Shown is the Manistee-Benzie Choir in a performance from last year with the singing group The Nephews. Choir director Joy Smith is in the process of starting a City of Manistee Choir and will be having an organizational meeting at 2 p.m. on Feb. 8 at the United Methodist Church. less
Shown is the Manistee-Benzie Choir in a performance from last year with the singing group The Nephews. Choir director Joy Smith is in the process of starting a City of Manistee Choir and will be having an ... more
MANISTEE — Joy Smith is the first to admit she loves the sound of a children's choir singing together in perfect harmony.
Those sounds are what have brought Smith back for the past 10 years as the director of the Manistee-Benzie Area Children's Chorus. After a decade of success with that program Smith is now in the process of expanding the program to create the City of Manistee Children's Chorus. Although it is called a City of Manistee Choir it is open to anyone from this area.
"The big difference between the two groups is the Manistee-Benzie Children's Chorus has always rehearsed in Arcadia," said Smith."It has 35 members in it, and we expect that one to remain very successful. However, it is difficult for a lot of Manistee kids to go up there and it is a 10-week choir."
Smith said that some Manistee children do take part in that choir, but they saw a need for one to be located more in the City of Manistee.
"The Manistee-Benzie Choir ends in the spring," she said. "We're going to have the City of Manistee Choir be a fall one that will culminate pretty close to Christmas."
Smith said they are still looking for a location from which to base the choir.She said at 2 p.m. on Feb. 8 they will be holding an organizational meeting for the new choir at the United Methodist Church.
"That meeting will only last about an hour and it is for parents to find out what is involved," she said. "This will be for children from age 8 to 18 years of age. It is not just send your kid to choir and it is done. There is some parental support that is needed and there is some monetary responsibility, but that is flexible."
The parents of each child is asked to pay a fee to be part of the chorus. Smith said that isn't a problem for some families, but for others it can be, and they have assistance when needed.
"In the Manistee-Benzie Chorus we have two families with five kids in it, and that is asking a big chunk of money, so we are flexible," she said. "Another way to manage that is by getting patrons, so their child can participate."
Smith said that is one of the important functions of the organizational meeting: To create a network to show parents their is support available throughout the group.
"Parents can work together to get business sponsorships or other kinds of patronages," she said. "It takes some money to put something like this together as there is the director's salary, the accompanist budget and other costs. The nice thing is we have seen how wonderful it works in Arcadia because it has been managed well. They have a handbook and Kristine Harvey handles all the administrative duties. She will be coming to our Manistee meeting, and we will have to find an administrator for this group."
Harvey said the Manistee-Benzie Chorus is going strong. She is happy to see Smith is modeling this new choir in the same fashion that has worked well with the Manistee-Benzie Choir.
"I am happy to say that we are starting our 10th season, and it is a project that is going strong with between 25 and 40 members each year," sshe said. "We are really thrilled this opportunity just continues.
Smith said they really would like to have at least 20 children to take part in the choir.
"Last spring we had 35 people in the Manistee-Benzie one, but if you get less than 20 kids it is going to be difficult," she said.
The director said she feels a choir will offer a musical outlet for a much-needed service in the community.
"We have a choral society in this town with adults that can function in four-part harmony," she said. "There are not many people in the 20-year old age group that can do it, because we haven't had a choir program in schools for a while. Right now there is only a seven week K-3 music program. Music education is a good thing to have as it helps us to conceptualize things."
Anyone wanting more details can contact Smith at (231) 398-9427 or on email at joysmithmanistee@gmail.com
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