There is music in the air of San Luis Obispo, and it is the joyful melody of children’s voices raised in song. The Central Coast Children’s Choir (CCCC) is celebrating 20 years of music education for the youth of SLO County with a standout spring season.
Of note, CCCC will be joining the San Luis Obispo Symphony for their popular annual Children’s and Family Concert on Sunday, March 30 at 3:00 p.m. and Monday, March 31 at 10:30 a.m. at the Performing Arts Center. The singers will offer music selections from popular shows such as The Wizard of OZ and The Sound of Music. Tickets range in price from $5-$20 and are available online at pacslo.org
CCCC will also be offering their fifth annual Black & White Gala on Friday, April 4 from 6:00-10:00 p.m. at the newly renovated Park Place in downtown Paso Robles. The “Monte Carlo Night” theme offers gaming tables, heavy hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, DJ Chad Stevens and dancing, a variety of auctions and raffles, all for the price of $60 per person. Proceeds from the event benefit the singers with the choir and over $35,000 has been raised the past four years.
CCCC will perform their annual spring concert, “Celebration of Song”, on Saturday May 10 and Sunday, May 11 at 3:00 p.m. at SLO United Methodist Church. Featuring favorite selections from 20 years of programs, the five levels of choirs for children ages 7-18 will perform carols from various countries celebrating the joy of music! Styles to please every palate include classical, calypso, spirituals, and contemporary, all delivered by smiling and sincere singers from the SLO community. In celebration of our 20th year, a generous Grant from the Handler and Steiner Family Foundation allowed CCCC to commission Cal Poly teacher and local composer Dr. Meredith Brammeier to write the song “Barter” in honor of CCCC. Tickets range in price from $10 – $18 and will be available for purchase online starting April 1 at BrownPaperTickets.com. This show is recommended for children over the age of five.
The final concert of the year will take place in the historic San Miguel Mission on Friday, May 30 at 7:00 p.m. CCCC leading groups, Concert Choir and the Advanced Vocal Ensemble, will perform their final recital for an intimate audience in the celebrated sanctuary. There will be songs from the spring concert in addition to solos and small group selections chosen by our singers. Tickets will be $10 and be sold at the door.
CCCC directors energetically lead choir participants through a variety of musical adventures each week. Activities include music games, fun warm-ups, learning musical theory, terminology and markings, as well as rehearsing for two county-wide, highly-anticipated concerts each year. Children learn about music step by step – growing from simple rhythms and “sing song” songs, to a developed understanding of note values, dynamics, and vocal technique in general.
Another musical opportunity offered to young singers is open to children in kindergarten and first grade. “Music Makers” is a 45-minute nine-week introduction to music class offered in both SLO and Atascadero during spring and fall. Mrs. Olson leads the young participants through the music program focusing on basic music terms and fun songs accompanied by movement. “It’s just for children that love to sing and want to sing more.”
CCCC Artistic Director and Atascadero Fine Arts music teacher Beth Klemm explains the reason why she and the other directors such as Melody Svennungsen, JoAnne Stoddard, Anne Olson and Paula Womble, enjoy being involved in directing a children’s choir. “I love changing kids’ lives, giving beautiful music to their souls. They carry it with them wherever they go. I love to challenge them and they rise to that challenge. Choir teaches them self-discipline and self-worth. It gives them a lot of self-confidence and those aren’t even the musical rewards.”
Founded in 1994, the Central Coast Children’s Choir is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary season. CCCC draws its members from communities across San Luis Obispo County. Last spring the choir consisted of nearly 100 area children performing with five levels of choir. The Central Coast Children’s Choir is devoted to creating choral excellence, instilling values of self-discipline and commitment and building lasting friendships. The goal is to inspire the artist within each child through the power of music.
The Central Coast Children’s Choir is accepts new members throughout the months of August, September and again in January for both SLO and Atascadero rehearsal locations. Scholarships are available to those in financial need. General choir guidelines are as follows: Debut Choir (grades 2-4), Apprentice Choir (grades 4-6), Premiere Choir (grades 5-9), and Concert Choir (grades 7-12). Please call 464-0443 or email [email protected] for additional information or check the website at www.CentralCoastChildrensChoir.org