For the Reporter
New Orleans Children’s Chorus recently hosted 10 premier choirs from throughout the United States for the 15th annual Crescent City Choral Festival.
Twenty-two Rainier Youth Choirs singers, six parent chaperones and Leora Schwitters, RYC artistic director and founder, traveled to New Orleans for the weeklong festivities.
Choirs were chosen by audition to participate in the festival held in one of America’s most historic cities. Once there, the young singers explored New Orleans and worked with guest conductor Sandra Snow of Michigan State University and Cheryl Dupont, artistic director of the New Orleans Children’s Chorus.
As part of the festival, singers enjoyed a night with dinner, dancing and bowling at Fulton Alley. The festival culminated with a concert in St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest United States Catholic cathedral in continual use, and a two-hour dinner cruise of the mighty Mississippi River aboard the historic Steamboat Natchez.
Rainier Youth Choirs was honored with an invitation to perform a piece of its own during the concert. RYC, with Elizabeth Zosel soloing, earned enthusiastic and sincere reviews from the festival’s directors and from composer in residence, Andrea Ramsey, on their beautifully artistic rendition of Jonathan Quick’s arrangement of “Loch Lomond.”
Schwitters said: “Rainier Youth Choirs continued the tradition this week of not only performing difficult repertoire well, but chaperones and singers showed pride, good taste, professionalism and intelligence throughout the week in their comportment, dress, community, and care of each other and their instruments.”
While in New Orleans, RYC members toured the historic French Quarter, from Royal Street to Jackson Square and the French Market. Members visited the Presbytere, which houses a compelling Hurricane Katrina Exhibit, and a historical Mardi Gras exhibit. A highlight of the trip was a visit to the New Orleans School of Cooking that combined Louisiana history with cooking lessons and a delicious meal of local cuisine.
Other highlights included street musicians performing in front of the Presbytere, and a ghost tour of the French Quarter at dusk. Before returning home, RYC members enjoyed a swamp tour, complete with alligator sightings, in the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Nature Preserve.
Rainier Youth Choirs, a nonprofit, family-friendly organization with no religious affiliation, rehearses in Covington and has a couple upcoming opportunities for kids who enjoy singing.
• Youth entering fourth through eighth grade can register for Aug. 18-21 RYC Summer Choir Camp on Kent East Hill.
• Interested singers in second through the 14th grade can schedule an informal audition to join RYC in September.
RYC members learn the finest repertoire, music reading skills, music theory, presentation skills, and are offered regular touring opportunities.
More information about camp and auditions is available at www.rainieryouthchoirs.org.
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