On August 28, 14 of the 21 singers gathered at Ruth Purcell’s house for a half day of singing and music theory games, rhythmic and melodic solfège, folk dancing, and fun! The hit of the morning was the singing game “Down the River.” A close second was watching the entire “Do, a Deer” sequence from The Sound of Music. Everyone was singing along with great gusto and expressions of sheer delight! My personal favorite was our closing activity, singing “Oh, Mary, Don’t You Weep” in parallel harmony, with brave volunteers singing solo verses on the spot. Teenagers and elementary students worked, played and sang compatibly together for the entire time. The event was definitely a complete success, and the girls left full of anticipation, while I was left with quiet satisfaction and gratitude for this opportunity. God is so good!
NGCC Director attends Choristers Guild Institute
Ruth Purcell attended the six-day Choristers Guild Institute at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, July 23-28, 2010. The Institute is a three-summer certification program for directors of children’s choirs in a Christian church, school, or community choir setting. She participated in a rigorous schedule of classes and workshops with nationally recognized faculty, including Dr. Anton Armstron of St. Olaf College, Dr. C. Michael Hawn of SMU, Dr. Madeline Bridges of Belmont University and director of the Nashville Children’s Choir, and Dr. Heather Potter, an Associate Conductor with the Charlotte, NC Children’s Choir, and an active clinician training directors of treble choirs all over the country.
“It was very inspiring to spend a week with so many dedicated colleagues and outstanding instructors,” Mrs. Purcell commented. “Music education, particularly singing beautiful music with inspirational texts, is so important for the formation of the soul. A child who sings is a child who feels his/her self-worth and recognizes and appreciates beauty. A child who sings in a chorus has an experience of self-discipline and of creating something beautiful with others; this is an experience that is never forgotten.”
North Georgia Children’s Chorus Completes Third Season
The North Georgia Children’s Chorus completed its season on June 2nd with a visit to the Lumpkin County Senior Center, performing for an enthusiastic audience. On May 28th the chorus sang at Gold City Retirement Community, then traveled to Highlands, North Carolina and stayed overnight with members of Highlands United Methodist Church. On Saturday, May 29th, following a two-mile hike in the morning, we presented our concert, with the theme Everybody Needs Love.
This concert was previously offered in Dahlonega at Northwoods Retirement Community on May 19th, in Gainesville at Dogwood Forest and at Smokey Springs on April 27th, at NGCSU’s Shott Auditorium on March 30th, and at Bowen Arts Center on March 26th. Highlights of the concert included J.S. Bach’s Schafe können sicher weiden (Sheep May Safely Graze), Standin’ in the Need of Prayer, and I’m Goin’ Up A-Yonder.