Youth invited to sing with academy
Aspiring young musicians can start the new year with Coastal Sound Music Academy. Those who like to sing are being invited to attend training choir rehearsals and an open house after school on Tuesdays throughout January.
“We’ve done this for the last few years because we decided that opening our rehearsals to children and parents who’d like to give us a try with no strings attached is a great way to begin a new year,” says Donna Otto, founding artistic director of Coastal Sound.
Parents may be reluctant to commit time and money to an activity they don’t know much about, Otto continued.
“One of the great things that all humans share is the ability to make music,” she said.
The human voice is the most amazing musical instrument there is, Otto explained.
No manufactured instrument can match its complexity and capability to produce wonderful sound. Yet simply producing sound is not the same as learning to make the most of the instrument each of us was born with. Not everyone can become a professional vocalist, but anyone can learn to use the voice they have to the best of their abilities, Otto continued.
“What we like to emphasize at Coastal Sound is that choir is about so much more than learning to make music. It’s about children learning skills that will carry them through life.”
In choir, Otto says, children learn team work and self-discipline. Music helps them develop both sides of their brain — the math-and-science side and the arts-and-language side. Shy children make friends and become more outgoing and confident, while energetic children learn to channel their dynamism.
They also learn public speaking and leadership skills. They learn that making music is a joy that can help get them through bad times and celebrate good times.
“The list of benefits to choir is virtually endless,” says Otto. “Simply put, our annual Open House gives children a chance to see how much fun they can have, and gives parents a chance to peak in through the window of opportunity that choir holds for their children, with no commitment.”
Coastal Sound Music Academy offers vocal-music education to children, youth, and adults through seven levels of choral instruction for people at all levels of ability, skill, and experience.
There are three levels of training choir, but all training choir rehearsals take place Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at École des Pionniers, 3550 Wellington St. in Port Coquitlam.
• For more information, contact Dan Mattinson at the Coastal Sound office, 604-469-5973 or info@coastalsoundmusic.com.
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