Coastal Voices Scores Educational Grant
Coastal Voices (CV,) the 54-voice community choir based in Newport, is using the $5000 grant from the Braemar Charitable Trust to design and implement the Public Sing-Alongs and Educational Workshops project in select Lincoln County School District (LCSD) schools and other venues.
Founded in 1993 and based in Portland, OR, the Braemar Charitable Trust (BCT) actively seeks to support projects in Oregon that emphasize Education, Community Service, Arts and Culture, Youth Activities, or Historical Preservation. CV received the news of the award in May 2023; this initial show of support from BCT enabled the choir to secure matching funds from the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund (STCCF) and the Roundhouse Foundation to complete the total project budget.
The Educational Workshops part of the project is the brainchild of CV Artistic Director Rhodd Caldwell, who believes in the importance of musical experience for students, particularly choral participation, which is open to everyone and does not require an instrument. “Singing is sustained speech; if you can speak, you can sing” he says. Caldwell is committed to providing opportunities for LCSD middle and high school students to experience group singing through workshops and demonstrations. Members of CV will assist him as vetted school volunteers when he teaches best choral practices such as breathing techniques, good posture, and physical and vocal warm-ups before leading students in song. “I am coordinating with the music teachers of the district, all of whom are trained in instrumental, not vocal, teaching, to help them find, develop and employ curricula for vocal classes” he explains.
Following two years of pandemic restrictions when the county was silent, Director Caldwell is determined to bring singing back to the area. “I want to make Lincoln county the county that sings” he proclaims. Vocal education programs in the schools are one part of the effort. The public sing-along event “Holly Jolly–A Festive Family Affair,” sponsored by Cv and the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts, will include a crafts session followed by a sing-along in the Silverman Theater of the Performing Arts Center. Students and their families will have an opportunity to sing familiar holiday favorites together, directed by Caldwell. Members of CV will be in the audience to encourage musical participation. CV incorporates a brief sing-along at their concerts as well. “The sing-alongs at ‘Holly Jolly’ and our concerts will encourage young people to sing and remind adults how enjoyable it is to belt out a song .” explains Caldwell.
As Dr. Paul Caldron, CV Board President, has discovered, many members of the choir cite school choral experiences as their reason for joining the group. “I realize the next generation of members for CV and groups like us needs to be encouraged to sing now, and Rhodd and his CV volunteers are poised to make that happen. Along with Rhodd, I thank the BCT and our other grantors–STCCF and Roundhouse. Their generosity is the reason we are able to do this important work.”
“Holly Jolly–A Festive Family Affair” will take place on Sunday December 10 at the Newport Performing Arts Center at 2 PM. For information about Coastal Voices and about the December concerts go to coastal-voices.org or call 541-283-6295