Mission
The mission of the Napa Valley Children's Chorus and Mini-Singers, is to provide a music education experience of high quality which offers exceptional vocal training, skill development and performance opportunities for young singers. Through participation, members develop a sense of discipline and commitment, self-confidence and musical competence.
Overview
Founded in 1994, the Napa Valley Children's Chorus joined the Napa Valley Choral Society family in 2008, as part of the Society's ongoing goal of providing opportunities for lifelong participation in choral singing. The Choral Society encompasses the adult group, the Napa Valley Chorale conducted by Jan Lanterman, the Napa Valley Children's Chorus and the Napa Valley Mini-Singers. Future plans call for development of a senior citizens choral ensemble.
The Case for Childhood Choral Singing
According to the 2009 Chorus Impact Study:
- Children who sing in choruses have academic success and (learn) valuable life skills.
- Parents whose children sing in choirs are significantly more likely to say their child has many other qualities conducive to learning and development than parents of children who don't sing.
- Large majorities of educators (participating in the study), often 80 percent or more, agreed that choir participation can help make students better participants in groups, help develop stronger social skills, lead to better emotional expression and management, improve overall academic performance, help instill self-discipline and punctuality, and more.
To see the complete 2009 Chorus Impact Study, including charts, graphs and survey methodology, please see Chorus America's website at www.chorusamerica.org
*
Napa Valley Mini-Singers
Directed by Sue Woodruff
(Grades K - 2)
The goal of the Mini-Singers group is to provide opportunities for boys and girls to grow in their musical knowledge, refine their singing skills, and experience the joy of singing together. Instruction focuses on developing a pure vocal sound through unison singing as well as learning techniques for developing good posture and correct breathing habits.
Through activities, games, dances, and singing, members are taught basic music reading and vocal skills. Boys and girls learn how to work together as a group and gain confidence in singing by themselves in front of others. Members learn choral performance and audience etiquette in preparation for concert performances with the Napa Valley Children's Chorus.
Napa Valley Children's Chorus
Directed by Kim Markovich
(Grades 3 - 6)
The Napa Valley Children's Chorus is an intermediate-level choir that participates in several performances throughout the year. Community within the group is fostered through team-building activities, social events and performances.
Singers in NVCC venture into the challenging study of music in two and three parts, learning how to follow a choral music score and how to read more complex rhythms and melodies. The Children's Chorus repertoire includes songs written in a wide variety of styles and languages.
During rehearsals and performances, members work on developing their voices and stage presence, while learning what it means to become a confident, skilled and independent singer.
The main requirements for membership are enthusiasm and the ability to sing tunefully while singing with a group. A year-long commitment to membership is strongly encouraged.
Fostering a life-long love of singing, building self-esteem through musical excellence, and sharing the gift of song with each other and the community are primary objectives.
Site: Blue Oak Lower School Multi-Purpose Room, 1436
Polk St., Napa, CA.
Napa Valley Mini-Singers: Tuesdays, 3:45 - 4:30PM
Napa Valley Children's Chorus: Tuesdays, 3:30 - 4:45PM
Winter/Spring 2010, First Rehearsal
The first rehearsal for both groups will occur on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. A short meeting for new members and parents will occur at the end of the rehearsals. Preregistration is not required. All those interested should plan to attend.
Tuition and Scholarships
Tuition is $150 per student, per semester. Tuition includes purchase of the performance shirt which is used throughout the year.
Because it is our hope that no student will miss out on chorus participation due to financial concerns, the NVMS and NVCC maintain an active scholarship program through the Napa Valley Choral Society. Grants are need-based and generally cover 50% of tuition and fees. Families' situations are considered on a case-by-case basis. An application form with further information will be available during the first rehearsal or by contacting Kim Markovich at kmarkovich@blueoakschool.org.
NVMS and NVCC Registration
Both the Napa Valley Mini-Singers and the Napa Valley Children's
Chorus are offered as courses through the Blue Oak School After
School program. Downloadable registration materials are available
here.
Or visit the Blue
Oak School website - click School Programs; then click on
After-School Program.
Sue Woodruff
The Napa Valley Mini-Singers is taught by music teacher, Sue Woodruff who holds a Bachelors of Music degree from University of Sheffield, England. Sue has taught Band and Vocal music in the Napa Valley Unified School District for the past fifteen years. She has been certified as an Orff Schulwerk instructor and is a past President of the Northern California Chapter of the Orff Schulwerk Association. She is a member of the American Choral Director's Association, Music Educator's National Conference, and both the Northern California Chapter and National Orff-Schulwerk Association. Sue resides in Napa with her husband, Gary and two teenage daughters, Devon and Alexis.
Kim Markovich
Kim Markovich is beginning her second year as director of the Napa Valley Children's Chorus. Kim holds her Bachelor's of Music Education from University of Northern Colorado and her Masters of Music from West Virginia University. She has been certified as an Orff Schulwerk instructor and is a member of the American Choral Director's Association. In her eighth year teaching music at Blue Oak School, Kim is also a part-time instructor at Napa Valley College. She has directed choral groups of all ages from child through adults. Both Kim and her husband, Gary, are Napa High School alumni and they reside in Napa with their two musical daughters, K.C. and Camille.
Contact Kim Markovich at kmarkovich@blueoakschool.org or call 707-261-4533 with questions concerning enrollment or registration in the Napa Valley Children's Chorus, or the Napa Valley Mini-Singers.
**2009-12-01**