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| By Lori Szepelak Correspondent SPRINGFIELD A love of singing has brought together children from across the city and after months of rehearsals, their combined energies will be showcased on May 10 with a public concert at Trinity United Methodist Church. The Children's Chorus of Springfield (CCS), a citywide chorus of fifth and sixth grade students, is led by Vera S. Baker, former director of Visual & Performing Arts for the Springfield Public Schools, and E. Wayne Abercrombie, Professor Emeritus of Choral Music at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Abercrombie serves as artistic director and Baker is the managing director. "The chorus reflects the diversity and talents of Springfield's children," Baker said during an interview with Reminder Publications. Baker noted that CCS was established last fall to provide children across the city with an opportunity to learn quality music of many styles, experience the power of building community and cultural heritages, and grow personally and musically. Teamwork, discipline, responsibility and self-control are all stressed, she added. With 21 city schools represented in this year's chorus, the undertaking was a challenge but one worth taking, according to Baker. "Grassroots choirs in urban centers around the country share the CCS vision of changing lives far beyond the power of the beautiful and moving performances they create," she said. Baker noted that the undertaking was made easier by volunteers including Becky Isaacson who serves as accompanist, and three music students from Longmeadow High School Dimitri Clarke, Alex McKeithen and Shelby Leshine who assist in rehearsal and performance activities. Baker also singled out the generous support from Trinity United Methodist Church for its use of the facilities and resources for weekly rehearsals and performances, as well as from the Springfield Cultural Council, the Springfield Teachers Club, TSM Design Inc., Marcus Printing, Bacon & Wilson PC, and individual donors. Children will be performing a variety of songs during the one-hour concert, including folk songs from Africa, Haiti and Mexico, two works by composer Benjamin Britten, and an Israeli song sung in Hebrew. Baker noted that she has been impressed by the ability of the children to memorize so many songs with several to be performed in foreign languages. The concert begins at 3 p.m. at the church on Sumner Avenue. A reception will follow the performance. Parents interested in audition information for the chorus will also find forms available in the church entranceway prior to the concert. For more information, call (413) 782-2224 or e-mail Baker at vsbmusic@comcast.net. |