Twin Cities Youth Chorale
| By Jake Anderson |
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(Photo by Marshall Franklin Long)
The Twin Cities Youth Chorale has struck an amazing balance, teaching children the skills they need to achieve musical excellence, while fostering a fun-filled atmosphere. And it all started right here in Maple Grove.
TCYC is an auditioned choir for boys and girls between ages 9 and 14, who represent 31 schools from 17 communities. The choir’s membership hovers around 100 kids, and one half of its blossoming singers come from Maple Grove. The choir, which is currently in its second season, has drawn members from as far as Elk River and St. Paul. “This is a united front where everyone is there to share their individuality,” TCYC artistic director Diane Nielsen says. “But the product is a whole and it’s something for these kids to be proud of.”
Amid drastic budget cuts and rumors about the fate of public school music programs, dedicated Maple Grove parents and teachers were unwilling to give up. “In this economic environment, it is no secret that funding music and the arts presents ever-increasing challenges,” says Jennifer Rose, who, along with her husband Tom and a handful of other Maple Grove parents, was responsible for TCYC’s inception.
The Roses banded together with friends Paul and Lori Wisnewski—Maple Grove residents who have contributed through volunteer work and the creation of TCYC’s website—to build a new, sturdy foundation for youth music. The Roses and Wisnewskis were introduced to Diane Nielsen, Ann Wingert-Williams and Julie Bright while their sons sang under the trio’s direction as members of the public school choir.
In February 2007, they drew up a business plan for a nonprofit community choir and approached the directors. The plan meshed with the ideas of all three directors, as they had shared a similar vision for nearly a decade. “We felt there was a need for a choir program for young, mixed voices in this part of the metropolitan area,” explains Nielsen, a Maple Grove resident since 1987 and teacher at Fernbrook Elementary. Along with the other two directors, she brings 32 years of teaching experience to the table.
By fall 2008, TCYC was performing around the metro area, with Nielsen, Wingert-Williams and Bright as artistic directors. Jen Rose assumed the role of executive director, while her husband Tom serves as president of the board of directors.
Making the Team
Nielsen stresses the inclusive nature of the program. “No experience is necessary,” she says. “It is a fun, safe environment where all choir members find acceptance and the opportunity to express their emotions through choral music.”
Rose likens the audition process to a sports team tryout. “The ‘coach’ or artistic director gets the chance to assess a player’s skill set,” she explains. Potential members can prepare for the audition by singing along with practice audio files found on the TCYC website. Singers are scheduled in small groups, but children also sing individually during the 20-minute process. They are assessed in the categories of rhythm, pitch, range and stage presence through vocal exercises and reading rhythm patterns.
The auditions, as well as rehearsals, take place at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Brooklyn Park, which was chosen based on size, easy freeway access and a supportive congregation.
Unlike public school choirs, TCYC mixes male and female students from elementary and junior high, acting as a bridge between age groups and cultivating leadership skills. “We believe our older youth act as fantastic role models for our younger singers,” Rose says.
Tom Rose is amazed at the choir’s influence on children. “The kids are cognizant of the right way to achieve the right sound. [The directors] don’t settle for second best, and the kids really step up,” he says. “I have seen this bring kids out of their shells.”
TCYC’s leaders recognize the many obligations of fast-paced family schedules, so rehearsals are limited to Tuesday evenings, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. This brief window means practice is all business. “Rehearsals are pretty intense,” Nielsen says. “They rise to the occasion because they’re disciplined and they want to be there.”
TCYC is an auditioned choir for boys and girls between ages 9 and 14, who represent 31 schools from 17 communities. The choir’s membership hovers around 100 kids, and one half of its blossoming singers come from Maple Grove. The choir, which is currently in its second season, has drawn members from as far as Elk River and St. Paul. “This is a united front where everyone is there to share their individuality,” TCYC artistic director Diane Nielsen says. “But the product is a whole and it’s something for these kids to be proud of.”
Amid drastic budget cuts and rumors about the fate of public school music programs, dedicated Maple Grove parents and teachers were unwilling to give up. “In this economic environment, it is no secret that funding music and the arts presents ever-increasing challenges,” says Jennifer Rose, who, along with her husband Tom and a handful of other Maple Grove parents, was responsible for TCYC’s inception.
The Roses banded together with friends Paul and Lori Wisnewski—Maple Grove residents who have contributed through volunteer work and the creation of TCYC’s website—to build a new, sturdy foundation for youth music. The Roses and Wisnewskis were introduced to Diane Nielsen, Ann Wingert-Williams and Julie Bright while their sons sang under the trio’s direction as members of the public school choir.
In February 2007, they drew up a business plan for a nonprofit community choir and approached the directors. The plan meshed with the ideas of all three directors, as they had shared a similar vision for nearly a decade. “We felt there was a need for a choir program for young, mixed voices in this part of the metropolitan area,” explains Nielsen, a Maple Grove resident since 1987 and teacher at Fernbrook Elementary. Along with the other two directors, she brings 32 years of teaching experience to the table.
By fall 2008, TCYC was performing around the metro area, with Nielsen, Wingert-Williams and Bright as artistic directors. Jen Rose assumed the role of executive director, while her husband Tom serves as president of the board of directors.
Making the Team
Nielsen stresses the inclusive nature of the program. “No experience is necessary,” she says. “It is a fun, safe environment where all choir members find acceptance and the opportunity to express their emotions through choral music.”
Rose likens the audition process to a sports team tryout. “The ‘coach’ or artistic director gets the chance to assess a player’s skill set,” she explains. Potential members can prepare for the audition by singing along with practice audio files found on the TCYC website. Singers are scheduled in small groups, but children also sing individually during the 20-minute process. They are assessed in the categories of rhythm, pitch, range and stage presence through vocal exercises and reading rhythm patterns.
The auditions, as well as rehearsals, take place at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Brooklyn Park, which was chosen based on size, easy freeway access and a supportive congregation.
Unlike public school choirs, TCYC mixes male and female students from elementary and junior high, acting as a bridge between age groups and cultivating leadership skills. “We believe our older youth act as fantastic role models for our younger singers,” Rose says.
Tom Rose is amazed at the choir’s influence on children. “The kids are cognizant of the right way to achieve the right sound. [The directors] don’t settle for second best, and the kids really step up,” he says. “I have seen this bring kids out of their shells.”
TCYC’s leaders recognize the many obligations of fast-paced family schedules, so rehearsals are limited to Tuesday evenings, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. This brief window means practice is all business. “Rehearsals are pretty intense,” Nielsen says. “They rise to the occasion because they’re disciplined and they want to be there.”
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