Chorus kids sing, learn about music

Shelby Cobb

Ten-year-old Shelby Cobb of University City believes she might like to be a singer when she grows up. That's why she thinks the Carondelet Children's Chorus is what she needs to learn more about music.

The fifth-grader at Our Lady of Lourdes School said, "I'm serious about my singing." Her three years of experience with the kid's chorus has included more than just learning the words for upcoming concerts.

Alec Nema

Nine-year-old Alec Nema of Kirkwood agrees. The fourth-grade home-schooler said he likes the idea that the chorus director takes time to teach the theory behind the music.

Sister Joan Whittemore directs the kid's chorus and the Carondelet Women's Chorus.

She said she taught music in high school and college and found many of her singers didn't know much about music. She said she then decided "I would start with younger kids and teach them more about the basics of music."

This is the 7th year for the children's chorus, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Sister Joan said the chorus program is in keeping with the order's long history of musical excellence.

This year's children's chorus began rehearsals in September.

They will give two Christmas concerts in December and another two in April.

In December, the first concert will be at the Nazareth Living Center on Dec. 10. Then, the chorus will perform at Our Lady of the Pillar Church on Dec. 11.

In the spring, the concerts will be at the Nazareth Living Center April 22 and at the Missouri Botanical Garden April 23.

These are charity fund-raising concerts. This year, the kids get to pick the charity while the women's chorus will chose a charity next year. The kids decided to donate to the National Association for Autism Research.

Also, the chorus kids will get a special bonus next summer. They have been selected to sing at the Sing a Mile High Choral Festival in Denver Jun 29-July 3. The participating groups were selected from audition CD's submitted to the judges.

Amanda Ames

Twelve-year-old Amanda Ames and her 11-year-old sister, Elise, of Wildwood, have been in the kid's chorus for four years.

Like lots of other chorus members, they are involved in music in more ways that singing.

The sisters are students at St. Alban Roe School. They both sing in the school's choir and sing at Mass at both the school and nearby St. Alban Roe Catholic Church.

Elise Ames

Until this year, the two performed together at Mass. But, Elise said, "This year, Amanda is singing with her friend and I'm singing with mine."

Amanda also plays the flute and takes piano lessons. Elise plays the trumpet and also has piano lessons.

Amanda said the voice and instrument practices provide "reinforcement" when it comes to performing. It's almost as if she can feel the music with both her voice and her fingers.

The different types of musical experiences help them understand the theory of music as well as aiding with their performing abilities. As a result, the kids say they don't get too nervous before a performance.

Although he's only nine, Alec Nema said he doesn't get nervous. "I just take a deep breath," he said. However, it said it also helps to know the music well before the performance starts. He also takes piano lessons.

He said his ability to memorize and a "very good pitch" are among his musical strengths.

Shelby Cobb said she learned about the Carondelet chorus because she takes piano lessons from Sister Joan. The youngster said she has a tendency to "stutter" when she's playing at a piano recital.

By "stuttering," Shelby is talking about going back to replay a part of the tune when she's made an error. "Sister Joan is teaching me to keep going forward and not repeat when I make a mistake," she said.

She said she's also strengthening her ability to sing. "I'm a soprano naturally. But, when I sing louder, my voice goes higher and I go off key," she said. Sister Joan is helping her to sing louder without changing pitch.

For the kids in the chorus, all their extra time isn't taken up by music. All of them participate in sports and other school activities.

If you'd like to learn more about the Carondelet Children's Chorus, you can visit Sister Whittemore's website at http://www.home.earthlink.net/~maestra6 Also, you can call at (314) 962-6627 or e-mail her at maestra6@earthlink.net.