About the Chorale

Chesapeake Youth Chorale, Inc. was founded under the direction of Ann C. Turpin in 1999, to meet the need in the Chesapeake Bay area for a chorale expressly intended for youth. With the help of a small group of dedicated parents and supporters, the CYC began with 18 choristers. The second season of the CYC brought 39 choristers and many more opportunities for both the choristers and the audience. The CYC is opened to youth ages eight to eighteen, from all racial, ethnic, religious and economic backgrounds. The Chorale was established as a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.

About the Musical Director

Ellen W. Wile teaches music at Easton Elementary School in Easton, Maryland and is the choir director at the Easton Church of the Brethren. She has actively participated in community choral groups such as the Easton Choral Arts Society and Bach to the Future, for which she has served as Assistant Director. Experience in choral singing throughout Ellen's life has led her to Carnegie Hall, where she participated, and sang in concert, in Choral Festival Workshops for professional singers and choir directors in 2001 and 2004.
Ms. Wile loves helping children discover their vocal music ability and includes being a Kindermusik Educator in her activities of working with children and parents.

About the Accompanist

Avis Wheatley is the daughter of Tad and Lynda Wheatley of Worton, Maryland. A native of Kent County, she recently completed her Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, at Bridgewater College with a double major in Music and Spanish. She was on the Dean's List throughout her college career and also in several honor societies.
Avis played in the local marching band throughout high school and played the organ for Old St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Chestertown. During college, she was organist at the Presbyterian Church in Bridgewater. Last spring during the local concert series at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in downtown Chestertown, she presented an organ recital including works by Buxtehude, Brahms, Guilmant and others. Currently she is teaching organ lessons, interpreting part-time at the Chestertown hospital, and is the organist and co-director of the Cherub Choir at the Centreville United Methodist Church.

About the Founder         About the Board of Directors

OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM -
GOALS

To provide significant, worthwhile, and beautiful choral performances for the Chesapeake Bay area.

To provide an educational experience allowing each singer to grow at a musical pace in keeping with his/her own interests and personal gifts.

To expose children and youth to classical and traditional music, as well as the music of world cultures.

To foster the personal, musical and social growth of chorale members and promote their sense of responsibility, self confidence and accomplishment.

To maintain chorale membership open to children and youth of all religious, racial, cultural and economic backgrounds.

PROGRAM

Talented young vocalists have the opportunity to develop their talent through vocal instruction, to perform a rich repertoire of choral literature and to experience the joy of achieving excellence in making music. Choristers are divided into two levels, Youth Chorale and Select Ensemble, based on ability and experience; singers are advanced as is appropriate, at the discretion of the Music Director. Practice at home is expected of each chorister. Practice includes breathing and vocalization exercises as well as work on specific literature. Singers at both levels are encouraged to join their school and/or church choir if one is available.

INSTRUCTIONAL CONCEPTS

Instruction includes healthy vocal technique (breath support, beautiful tone, correct posture, good intonation), the elements of music (melody, rhythm, harmony, timbre, dynamics, form, style and performance practice) and the basic musical skills (sight-reading, singing in parts, memorizing, diction, blending, listening and artistic expression.) Instruction is geared toward the level of the group to guarantee achievement and the experience of growth and success. Opportunities are presented for choristers to "lead" songs in rehearsals and for some solo singing.

The literature which is selected is varied: folk songs, classical literature from several musical periods, and many countries (sometimes in a foreign language) as well as contemporary music.

Stage presence is an important component of instruction in all concerts and public performances. Performances include singing for community organizations and seasonal concerts; dramatic musical works will be presented every other year. Occasionally performances are outside the Chesapeake Bay area, such as the Washington National Cathedral.

Music is a universal language; singing has existed throughout the history of human kind as an expression of deepest feelings and ideas. Our goal is for each chorister to build a foundation of musical skill and a life-long love of fine music!