Boys Only! with the Aussies

What an amazing day! Over 100 boys ages 8-13 joined in a morning of music-making and fun. Adding to the boys from Australia and GECC were boys from approximately 16 other towns, representing schools, community choirs and church choirs. They learned songs from Australia, South Africa and more, and at the end of the morning gave a free concert. It was extraordinary to see how much learning and growth took place in such a short period of time.

I was a member of the GECC for nine wonderful years. My family moved into the area when I was in 3^rd grade and my mom quickly signed me up (she also signed up as an accompanist). Little did we know what a huge impact it would have on our lives. My mother is now in her 17^th year as an accompanist! My involvement began as a fun thing for me to do where I could meet other kids my age and do what I loved to do – sing. However, I learned quickly that the chorus was also the place where I was going to get the best music education and the best musical opportunities.

After GECC I went on to Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI, where I graduated with a double major in Vocal Music Education and Vocal Performance.  While there I founded a vocal octet with some friends of mine who were previous graduates of Calvin. The Choral Scholars is now in its Third season and quickly gaining critical acclaim in West Michigan. The group is anticipating the release of their first CD, Gaudeamus, this November (www.thechoralscholars.com).

I am now in my second year of teaching and enjoying my dream job as PreK-5 music teacher at Hudsonville Christian School in Hudsonville, MI. I have the pleasure of teaching kids about rhythms, melodies, composers, and ultimately to love music. There is nothing more special than seeing kids faces light up when they grasp a musical concept. I have also begun working on my Masters of Music Education degree at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago.

Thank you GECC for all you do to instill an ability and love for music in every child. I would not be where I am today were it not for you.

It’s hard to believe that seven years have passed since we toured to Australia
and New Zealand, enjoying as one of our many experiences a fabulous joint concert with the National Boys Choir of Australia in Melbourne’s gorgeous concert hall. The boys and their families homestayed the GECC Touring Chorus for three nights, showing everyone a grand time.  I distinctly remember how hard it was for the singers and hosts to say goodbye…!  Fast forward to earlier this month, and we had the joy of returning the Aussies’ hospitality by playing host to these fine boys and their directors as a stop on their American tour.  St. Michael Church in Wheaton opened the doors of their splendid sanctuary for a joint concert which was so well attended and warmly received.  Many thanks to all our families for their wonderful hosting and to all who came and supported our singers in concert.  The Aussies also sang for Treble and Concert choirs on Thursday afternoon and we shared a question/answer session with our international guests.

The next day was a chance to share the Aussies with area boy singers in our annual all male workshop, as pictures on this page attest.  The chance to hear a fine boy choir close to home is a treat – and the chance to sing with them even better.  Many a boy singer left the workshop feeling more charged about singing, more aware of music as a universal language, and less alone in their love of song.  (The doughnuts didn’t hurt, either.) 

It was a grand way to begin this new season - a jump start to our “world of music.”