We warmly welcome our 2008 Choirs-in-Residence!

Augusta Children's Chorale

From its early stages, Augusta Children's Chorale grew and established itself as a non-profit organization with a board of directors to govern, regulate, and direct the growth and future of the group. With a goal to capture the talents of children who show an exceptional aptitude in music and to further their education in music (choral art in particular), ACC rapidly acquired the distinction of successfully training and providing opportunities for children with elevated levels of vocal talent. 

In 1998, ACC expanded its reach by adding a preparatory choir for talented singers whose potentials could be boosted by substantive training in fundamentals. The two-tiered program enables more advanced singers to receive in-depth training with more difficult music and to develop greater professional performance skills; it provides a step-up program for those who have potential but need a firmer basic foundation. ACC is the only vocal organization of its kind serving the greater Augusta area. The organization has become well-respected by other arts organizations in the area and strives to develop and showcase the extraordinary vocal potential in children from this area. 

Linda Leslie Bradberry, Founder and Musical Director

 of the Augusta Children's Chorale, graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in piano performance.  A native of Atlanta, she moved to the Augusta area following graduation and opened a private piano studio and later founded the piano department at Davidson School of Fine Arts.  She was Director of Music at Thomson United Methodist Church for a number of years before becoming Director of Music Ministry at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, her current position.  She has served as director/conductor/coordinator of numerous district, regional, and jurisdictional programs and events in both sacred and secular organizations, and has accepted many invitations to be guest clinician for camps, workshops, choral groups, clinics, and events.  Bradberry has been involved in various arts organizations and served a term as President of the Augusta Ballet and Chorus Master of the Augusta Opera.  Having received recognition and honors representing her leadership in the music arena, she was featured in the Augusta Business Magazine and Augusta Magazine.  She was awarded the 1999 Arts Recognition Award for Arts Professional presented by the Greater Augusta Arts Council.

www.augustachildrenschorale.org

Fort Wayne Children's Choir

Fred Meads, Artistic Director

 The Fort Wayne Children's Choir offers a performance-based program which strongly emphasizes developing music literacy and appreciation through choral literature. The choir is organized into seven separate levels of curriculum. Auditioned singers are places in a choir level based on their musical skill, growth and development. Each choir includes a strong focus on team-building, self-discipline and positive creative expression. Available choirs include:Preparatory Choir, Apprentice Choirs 1 & 2, Chorister Choir,Lyric Choir, Treble Choir, Concert Choir, Youth Chorale, and Chamber Choir.

Now in its 33rd year, the FWCC has expanded to 315 singers from over 85 schools. FWCC members not only gain exceptional music skills, but learn about history, culture, foreign language, poetry, self-esteem, team-building and leadership. Singers are brought together from numerous backgrounds to achieve a common goal, artistic and educational excellence.

The FWC's yearly schedule includes five season concerts: the Harvest and Rejoice Concerts, the Young Artists Concert and the Spring Concert, and the Young People's Concert. The FWCC also performs yearly in the Fort Wayne Philharmonic's Holiday Pops, the Fort Wayne Ballet's Nutcracker.

The FWCC tours every season, expanding their reach throughout North America and beyond. These tours include the Shrewsbury International Music Festival in England, the Pacific International Children's Choir Festival in Oregon, the Pacific Rim International Festival in Hawaii, the North Carolina Summer Institute of Choral Arts, the Youth Sing! Festivals in Toronto and Stratford Canada, and the New York City Carnegie Hall tour.

                                                       

Fred Meads, Artistic Director, Director of Treble & Concert Choirs:

Mr. Meads has served as Artistic Director of the FWCC since 1999. He received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Ithaca College and M.M. in Choral Conducting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His range of choral experience includes teaching choirs in public
schools, church and at the college level. He has served as guest conductor for several Indiana “Circle the State With Song” Festivals. Mr. Meads has sung in three Carnegie Hall Choral Workshops led by the late Robert Shaw, and he studied with Sir David Willcocks at the International Choral Conductors' Symposium in Toronto, Canada. He served for six years as the State Chairperson of Children's Choirs for the Indiana Choral Directors Association. In addition
to his current position, he maintains a private voice studio.

Nebraska Choral Arts Society Teens

The Nebraska Choral Arts Society is the umbrella organization of the Masterworks Chorus, Choral Arts Society Teens,  and the Nebraska Children's Chorus (NCC). Its mission is to share the gift of great choral music, inspire new generations with the love of choral singing, and broaden its reach and exposure of choir music to all ages and cultures.

Choral Arts Society Teens (CAST) is the newest NCAS choir, comprised of youth in grades nine through 12. CAST features advanced harmony and innovative repertoire, and serves as a training choir for teenagers whose voices are changing, but have an inherent talent for and love of singing. CAST choir will be a featured choir-in-residence at NCSICA summer 2008.

Kathleen Doebel - CAST Conductor

Originally from Chicago, Kathleen Doebel has called Omaha home for the past 15 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education with an emphasis in Vocal/Choral Music from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana and a Masters in Music Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She is the vocal music director at Daniel J. Gross High School and serves as conductor for the Omaha Catholic School 6th Grade Annual Choral Clinic.