Voices of the Valley Children's Chorus 'Rebirth & Renewal' Concert An Opportunity to Give

This Saturday, the Voices of the Valley Children's Chorus will perform their annual holiday concert under the direction of Dr. Michelle Folta. The concert will be at 7:00 PM on December 2 in Legacy Hall at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts.

The ensemble, which has received multiple invitations to perform at some of the nation's top music conferences, is known for its dedication to providing exceptional music training for its students. This is achieved through providing high-quality choral experiences paired with an emphasis on each singer's role as a servant leader in the organization – a philosophy driven by Artistic Director Michelle Folta and her team of music educators each year.

Rebirth & Renewal will feature a program created in the format of a lessons & carols service, but will focus on themes found within music that address the cycle of hope and excitement about the world, brokenness, despair, and then the rebuilding that naturally comes with the reintroduction of hope into any situation. According to Folta, the repertoire consists of some Christmas music but also incorporates a variety of other music throughout the concert. Additionally, the program will be narrated by Reverend Doctor Cindy Garrard who has written the text that will be presented between each segment of the concert.

Unique to this concert, Voices of the Valley will be performing with collaborative partners from Spencer High School's Greenwave Chorus under the direction of Dexter Smith. Smith has deep ties to Voices of the Valley as he is a Schwob Music Education alumnus and a former student of Folta's. Other conductors for the concert include Voices of the Valley's new assistant director, Rachel Massey, as well as Voices of the Valley alumnus Nairobi Maurice who is now a student at the University of Alabama – Birmingham. Maurice returns to conduct the ensemble after winning the Voices of the Valley's 2022 Director's Choice Award.

Though the concert is free to attend, Voices of the Valley Children's Chorus will be accepting donationstoward their upcoming performance tour of Italy next summer. One of the expected highlights? The choir's performance of an international premier in St. Peter's Basilica of a piece by American composer Michael John Trotta. The work was commissioned for the ensemble, and in addition to serving as the composer for the occasion, Trotta himself will travel to Rome to conduct the international premiere at the Vatican.

Donations are being accepted because it's a major goal of the organization to ensure every singer has the financial support needed to participate in the tour. ""Our goal is for every student who qualifies to be able to go abroad with us," said Folta. "It's a major expense for many of these families, but traveling and performing abroad is life-changing. We want every student in the touring ensemble to go, but we need our community's help to get them there. This week's concert is a wonderful way to see these talented young musicians in action, and to experience firsthand exactly what you're supporting with your contribution this year." ◾️