HOT SPOT: Raising their voices

Local News

Discussion

October 11, 2009

Kokomo Children’s Choir a 12-year staple.

By Danielle Rush The Kokomo Tribune Sun Oct 11, 2009, 10:11 PM EDT

For more than 12 years, the Kokomo Children’s Choir has provided an opportunity for children to sing great music together, but participants have gained more than that, according to director and founder Laura Swartzendruber.

“Another part of what I see the choir being for children is a window to the world,” she said, because the group sings music from around the world and has performed internationally.

Swartzendruber started the choir for 13 girls at First Presbyterian Church in Kokomo, where she is co-director of music with her husband, Lloyd.

“I had so many singers who were really gifted and capable of singing more advanced music, but they didn’t have the opportunity to do that at school,” she said. “After a couple of years, I thought, ‘This would be great to have for the kids in the community.’”

She left her job as part-time music teacher at Sts. Joan of Arc and Patrick School to begin the Kokomo Children’s Choir, for children ages 7 to 18 with unchanged voices.

Swartzendruber said her previous experience had mostly been in instrumental music, but she and Lloyd had trained in choral music at Westminster Choir College.

The choir’s first event was a summer camp attended by 126 kids. The first season included 76 children, all in one choir.

Her goal was “for children to just experience the joy of making music together, the fun that is, and to learn music that’s worthy for a child to know, to hold in their heart forever,” with the long-term goal that those who stayed with the program would be able to pick up a piece of music, read it and make music.

“I have been frustrated to find that in so many school programs, kids were learning along with tapes and not being taught to read music. I think that’s a crucial part of music education.” she said.

Swartzendruber also wants children to learn about the world from music. They sing songs from many cultures and have traveled to Europe, Hawaii and other places. The choir’s most recent trip was to Canada, and this summer, she plans a trip to New York City.

Swartzendruber said numbers are down, with many more activities available to children now than there were 12 years ago. Currently, she has 42 choir members in three choirs.

“Kids are busier now than they used to be,” she said, adding that the $315 annual tuition is also a reach for some families, even with scholarships.

She is now accepting sponsorships for singers.

Swartzendruber said the choir has provided advanced music education for about 800 children through the years, and gives back to the community through concerts and appearances.

The choir performs three concerts each year — a Christmas concert of sacred music from around the world, an international music concert of folk and classical music and an American folk concert.

Concerts this season are Dec. 13, March 21 and May 15.

For more information about joining the choir, sponsoring a singer or attending a concert, go to www.kokomochildrenschoir.com or call Swartzendruber at 765-457-8201 or 765-455-1298.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Local News

Police searching Wabash County landfill for missing Kokomo woman
Kokomo police are searching a Wabash County landfill in hopes of finding a woman missing since last July.

February 11, 2012
Former Kokomo resident finds new life after war injury
Injured in 2005 during his third deployment to Iraq in three years, former Kokomo resident Joel Hunt nearly lost his will to live.

He joined the Army after graduating from Northwestern High School in 1998. Seven years later, he was injured by a road-side blast that left him with a severe traumatic brain injury.

February 11, 2012 1 Photo
Chrysler workers collect bonuses
Chrysler Group LLC collectively has paid several million dollars extra to its hourly workers in Kokomo.

Members of United Auto Workers received up to $1,500 each from their first profit-sharing bonuses since 2005, Rich Boruff, president of United Auto Workers Local 685, said Friday.

February 11, 2012
Questions surround discovery
The discovery of human remains along the Mississinewa River in Grant County has left investigators with more questions than answers regarding the ongoing search for a missing Noblesville woman.

February 11, 2012
Slate of candidates set for May primary election
Republican parties in Howard, Miami and Tipton counties have a number of contested races in congressional and county offices in the May 8 primary election.

February 11, 2012
Remains may be grandmother of abducted girl
Noblesville police are trying to determine if the remains of a woman found Thursday along the Mississinewa River near Marion are those of missing Noblesville woman Dorothy Heard.

February 10, 2012
Students kick off Black History Month at IU Kokomo
“Hey, black child, be what you can be. Learn what you can learn. Do what you can do. And tomorrow, your nation will be what you want it to be.”

February 10, 2012 1 Photo
Council taking heat for proposal
The Miami County Council on Thursday got to hear from county employees who are disgruntled about proposed budget cuts that would reduce the county general fund by nearly $900,000.

February 10, 2012
County looks at health care options
With the city of Kokomo ending its relationship with Novia Health Care, Howard County officials are now discussing what move they will make.

February 10, 2012
KHS to implement new technology program
Starting next school year, the more than 500 freshmen enrolled at Kokomo High School will receive either a laptop computer or tablet device as part of a new technology program that school officials say will improve learning in the classroom.

February 10, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

HOT SPOT: Raising their voices

Kokomo Children’s Choir a 12-year staple.

Site Map

Contact Us