Mobile’s Singing Children isn’t a dance troupe, but the month of May looks like a full dance card for this gifted ensemble.
Starting with today’s “Songs of Hope” performance at Spanish Fort United Methodist Church, Susan Hoitt’s three choirs likely won’t draw a relaxed breath until June.
The month concludes, as it should, with a showcase event, “A Rutter Occasion,” May 31 in Carnegie Hall under the direction of composer John Rutter, who will conduct his “Mass of the Children” featuring soprano Suzanne Woods and baritone Corey McKern, along with choruses from Arizona, Arkansas, California, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon and Tennessee.
The first half lineup includes: Henderson State University Concert Choir, Arkadelphia, Ark.; East Valley Christian Homeschool Choir, Gilbert, Ariz.; the Burbank Chorale, Burbank, Calif.; the Festival Singers and the St. John’s Episcopal Middle School Children, Pomona, Calif.; St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church Chorale, Wilmington, N.C.; Edmond Community Chorale and the Young Singers of Edmond, Okla.; Portland Boychoir and Ovation!, Portland, Ore.; and Capshaw Elementary School Chorus, Cookeville, Tenn.
The second half of “A Rutter Occasion” will feature Mozart’s Requiem in D minor, K. 626, with Woods, McKern, tenor John Pickle and mezzo-soprano Mary Ann McCormick.
The previous evening will find the Mobile’s Singing Children Concert Choir in full voice during the 6 p.m. Mass at St. Malachy’s near Times Square.
For those who cannot make it to New York later this month, Mobile’s Singing Children will offer a preview of its Carnegie Hall performance at 3 p.m. May 16 at Spring Hill Presbyterian Church in west Mobile. The matinee concert will be presented jointly with the Spring Hill Presbyterian Church Choir and Chamber Orchestra.
None of this is new for the youngsters or their director, Susan Hoitt, although the May concerts — especially the Carnegie Hall performance with John Rutter — is the result of dedication, long hours and a tireless work ethic.
Hoitt got her appreciation for music from her mother, a highly respected choral director in Mississippi.
“Although the opportunity was not there to sing in a group like MSC, going with my mother to rehearsals on a regular basis gave me the love of great choral music and the understanding of what hard work can achieve,” Hoitt says.
“With that being said, seeing these children performing at the highest level gives me great personal satisfaction.
“By the very nature of the organization, members of Mobile’s Singing Children change each year with new members arriving and graduating members moving on. Each and every year starts with new challenges but hopefully culminates in the spring season with the organization performing at peak levels.”
Every spring Hoitt and her board fill the calendar with challenging events, trying to schedule performances in new and unique venues, she says.
“This year we have an opportunity to perform ‘Mass of the Children’ under the baton of the composer himself . . . in a world-renowned venue, Carnegie Hall. While in New York City, we plan also to take advantage of St. Malachy’s Cathedral performing in a Mass, providing yet another distinct venue to add to the childrens’ experiences.
“The trip, the venues, the distinction of the musicians with which they will be performing will surely present each child with a memory that will last a lifetime and hopefully, inspire them.”
Tish Odom, a new member of the board, just completed her first year as Parent Council President for Mobile’s Singing Children. She says this month’s concerts represent a reward for the kids’ hard work and an effort to expand their musical horizons with new venues and more challenging repertoire.
“(The concerts) are our gift back to the parents, families and community who support MSC,” Odom says. “They also serve as a barometer for measuring progress and provide the opportunity for kids see all the work pay off when the music comes together.
Information
What: Mobile's Singing Children in "Songs of Hope"
When: 3:30 p.m. May 2
Where: Spanish Fort United Methodist Church, 6690 Spanish Fort Blvd. (U.S. 31)
Director: Susan Hoitt
Choirs: Preparatory, Intermezzo and Concert Choirs
Info: 251-342-1550, Ext. 12, or Web: www.mobilesingingchildren.org
Upcoming: Mobile's Singing Children will offer a preview of the Concert Choir's upcoming performance of John Rutter's "Mass of the Children" at 3 p.m. May 16 at Spring Hill Presbyterian Church, 10 Westminster Way, Mobile. The matinee concert will be presented jointly with the Spring Hill Presbyterian Church Choir and Chamber Orchestra.
New York Events: The ensemble will perform at 6 p.m. May 30 during Mass at St. Malachy's Roman Catholic Church near Times Square; and with the New England Symphonic Ensemble during "A Rutter Occasion" at 8 p.m. May 31 in Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall. Composer John Rutter will conduct assembled choirs and orchestra in "Mass of the Children" featuring soprano Suzanne Woods and baritone Corey McKern.
"Susan is always teaching and making adjustments to perfect the sound. Because of this, the kids may actually perform a piece start to finish for the first time during a concert. They are just as impressed with the amazing quality of the finished product as the audience."
Odom says the children of MSC receive excellent classical voice training, "which is something they will enjoy for the rest of their lives."
“As a byproduct, they also learn that being a part of a group of this caliber requires a high level of commitment and a willingness to work at something that does not provide instant gratification. These kids learn about working together as a group, and that dedication and hard work have amazing results.
“Being selected as a member of MSC, and being able to represent our city, plays a part in these children becoming active, socially responsible citizens. We hope that ultimately the children gain an appreciation for fine arts, especially music, that will be reflected in the community throughout their lives.”
Bonnie Jean and Valrey Early, graduates of Westminster Choir College, formed Mobile’s Singing Children in 1978 to offer young singers training in music theory and vocal performance. The Earlys retired in 2005.
Mobile's Singing Children is an auditioned, premier community chorus consisting of three choirs of children in grades 2 through 12. Lara Nolan, historian for the group, created a photo-sharing site through Shutterfly. Visit the Web site: http://mobilessingingchildren.shutterfly.com.
Hoitt says the most important thing the program does for children is give them opportunities to sing high quality and challenging music and to sing with professional musicians such as the Mobile Symphony, Mobile Opera, or a small chamber ensemble.
Anyone who attended Musica Sacra’s Christmas concert at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception will remember the exquisite voices of the Singing Children.
“The vocal skills along with music theory give our children the training needed to continue to grow with MSC and to use in their future,” Hoitt says, “whether it is singing professionally, teaching music or singing with a community or church choir.”
Mobile's Singing Children also offers partial scholarships to youngsters who meet the criteria.
"This gives those above-average students opportunities that they would probably never get," Hoitt says.
“MSC also gives back to the community in things like ‘Bach to the Future’ — a field trip for school-age children to come and learn about music history — and ‘A Dickens Christmas’ with Mobile Public Library. This is also a teaching tool and raises money for our library.”
The commitment and discipline required to perform with the Singing Children “is something that you do not find in many organizations,” Hoitt says.
“I expect a lot from them, and they give that in return. Contrary to our culture, where commitment seems to mean very little, this organization trains our children to become outstanding productive citizens. That is giving back to the community in a huge way.
“In this age of instant gratification, we are teaching the children that dedication, discipline and focused work can lead to great things over the course of time.”