The Champaign County Youth Choir will present its annual concert of holiday music at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Episcopal Church, corner of Scioto and Kenton streets in Urbana. The performance is open to the public and free of charge, however, donations are always welcome.
The mission of the choir is to nurture the intellectual, emotional and cultural development of children through the study and performance of fine music. The choir is open to students in grades 3 through 8 in all five public school systems in Champaign County as well as from on line schools, alternative schools, and the home schooled.
The choir is led by Director Kristen Williams, music teacher at Graham Local Elementary School, and by Assistant Director and accompanist Jane Martin, music teacher at Urbana North and South elementary schools. The choir rehearses on Saturday mornings from October through April at the Episcopal Church. There are no auditions; the love of music and singing is the only requirement. No child is turned away who wants to participate regardless of his or her musical abilities.
The choir is in its 23rd year and is governed by a volunteer board consisting of President Ed Hardin, Treasurer Diane Kremer, parent representatives Sonia Haines and Julie Trudo, along with Williams and Martin. The choir is funded through donations from individuals, businesses and foundations. The choir is not church-related, but the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany was instrumental in the founding of the choir and provides rehearsal, performance and administrative space, as well as regular financial support.
The choir has been invited to sing with the Springfield Youth Choir and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra on Feb. 27, 2016, in the symphony’s regular concert series at Kuss Auditorium in Springfield.
For more information about the choir, find it on facebook, call 937-652-2792 or email [email protected].
