Rehearsals start for Bainbridge Chorale’s new youth program

Published 11:29 am Sunday, September 6, 2015

Bainbridge Chorale has announced its newest opportunity for young singers: the Bainbridge Youth Chorale, directed by Matthew Blegen.

This program is built on the foundation of the former Young Singers Program, developed by recently retired program director Jeremy Rothbaum.

Bainbridge Youth Chorale is designed to give children performance-based choral education that introduces singers to core repertoire and fundamental vocal techniques at three different levels (Pre-K-Grade 1, Grades 2-4, Grades 5-8) in a fun, community-centered environment.

Participants make new friends, gain pride in new skills learned and experience the joy musical creation brings. Younger singers will be introduced to the art of choral music through singing, movement, storytelling and rhythm activities. Singers in second through fourth grades are introduced to fundamentals of music literacy, phrasing, rhythm and performance. Singers in fifth through eighth grades work on increased independence through more challenging repertoire while continuing to build vocal fundamentals.

Rehearsals are playful, fast-paced and focused, while singers prepare for concerts and engage in musical activities designed to build community and skills. Participants will have exciting performance opportunities, including performing with the Olympic Girl’s Choir and the adult Bainbridge Chorale.

Blegen holds a master of music in vocal performance and pedagogy and will complete his doctorate degree in musical arts (choral conducting) next June at the University of Washington.

Blegen also keeps a busy performance and conducting schedule, and maintains an active voice studio.

He is also the managing director of Seattle-based ensemble Choral Arts, and was awarded the Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence in 2010 and the American Prize for Choral Performance (community division) in 2010 and 2013.

Rehearsals are at Rolling Bay Hall on Thursdays beginning Sept. 10.

Learn more and register through the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreational District at www.biparks.org.

For more information, visit www.bainbridgechorale.org.