Kim Spencer, a music teacher at McVay and Whittier elementary schools, held try-outs and formed a traveling group called the Brave Choir, named for a song by performer Sara Bareilles, with lyrics meant to inspire and empower the youngsters.
Throughout the process, the children made new friends, supported current friends, and encouraged each other. “It was very rewarding to see all the support and energy,” said Spencer. “The experience of try-outs, call-backs and singing out loud in front of an audience allowed the students to grow, whether or not they made the final cut.”
A lot of behind-the-scenes work took place in order to schedule performances, form a stage crew, and work out the logistics of a traveling choir. Pupils attended workshops, day camps and weekly rehearsals. They learned skills including voice improvement, singing together as a group, public performance, stage discipline, dressing appropriately and taking direction.
On May 13 they embarked on a “School Tour,” which took them to Whittier and Westerville North High School. Their performances were filmed by Blue Skies Productions and will air on a PBS program entitled Broad & High.