The Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir, part of EMU’s music department, sang by invitation at the Organization of American Kodaly Educators National Conference held Mar. 11-4 in Washington D.C.
The Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir received a standing ovation at the close of their performance at the Organization of American Kodaly Educators National Conference in Washington, D.C.
The SVCC’s 70-voice Concert Choir sang a memorized 25-minute program on Saturday, Mar. 14, to an audience of 300 music teachers and conductors from around the country. They presented a varied program of a medieval processional, Bach, folksongs and a jazz arrangement of “My Favorite Things” with jazz combo. Eleven-year-old Sophie Wellington of Staunton, Va., wowed the audience with her scat solo as part of the program, with “Old Dan Tucker,” an Indiana folksong, closing with banjo, fiddle, percussion and bass.
Dr. Brent Gault, past-president of OAKE and music education professor at Indiana University, introduced the group. Following the program he said, “I thought it was just an outstanding performance and I really appreciated you taking the time to come and perform,” he said following the program. “To have a choir performing at such a high level is such a bonus to the entire conference.” The audience gave the choir a standing ovation.
This is the SVCC’s second appearance at the OAKE conference. They were the invited choir for the opening session of the conference in 2001 in Williamsburg, Va. In addition, their director, Julia White was selected in 2008 to direct the national Honors Children’s Choir held in Denver, Colo. Assistant Director Joy Anderson, SVCC assistant director, is also involved with the organization, having presented sessions at the event and co-hosting the choral camp held at James Madison University each summer.
The SVCC joined with the first generation Taiwanese Choir, Glorystar, in Potomac, Md., for an evening concert. Choirs presented individual sets as well as combined music.
The SVCC will present their spring concerts 5 p.m. Mar. 28 and at 3 p.m. Mar. 29 at Harrisonburg High School with a finale fundraising dinner following the Saturday concert. For more information about the choir and spring auditions, see www.emu.edu/svcc.