Today’s youth, Tomorrow’s Voices
There’s a bunch of kids at reception. Most have their heads tilted down, engrossed in the glow of their respective devices. Every so often, the front door to the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts swings open and another young person wanders inside to find their place amidst the collective.
And then in walks a girl in a pink sweater, her hair in a bun and a smile already on her face. She pauses, looks around and spots a group of girls around the corner and up a couple of steps.
As she heads towards them her arms instinctively open up wide in the universally accepted signal for ‘ I’d like a hug.’
The girls spot her, too. They exchange hugs and the girl becomes part of their circle. They talk. Laugh.
The remarkable thing is that this is a girl who had trouble making friends at school.
A girl who routinely came home from school upset, angry and frustrated.
A girl who needed to find her voice.
Since September, 13- year- old McKenna Britt of St. Catharines has been one strong voice in a choir of some 35 youths who otherwise in life would not have the opportunities that come with being a part of an ensemble of kids who love to sing.
In October, they met Canadian singer- songwriter Dallas Smith during a sound check at Meridian Centre. And in December, they will perform backing vocals alongside Serena Ryder at a show in Burlington.
And through it all, they are making friends.
The choir is called Tomorrow’s Voices, a reference to the ability of a choir to connect voices of the future with one another in a sort of harmonious hug of friendship and belonging.
It’s the idea of Choir Nation’s CEO Todd Green, an associate professor
of marketing at Brock University. Mendelt Hoekstra, music therapist and executive and artistic director of the Momentum Choir, is its chief executive music director. And Sarah Jerrom, a Niagara vocalist, composer and arranger, is its music director.
In the words of Green: “I wanted kids to have a voice and to be heard.”
The youths range in age from seven to 17. They all have been referred to the choir from social service organizations — Big Brothers Big Sisters, DSBN Academy and Community Care. They are kids who typically wouldn’t have the funds to join a choir. TD Canada Trust provides the financial backing for the group while Brock University’s department of dramatic arts provides the rehearsal space.
The idea is to empower, to connect and to be part of something bigger than themselves.
“It’s both calming and there’s also an energy that comes from singing in a group,” said Green.
Music can boost confidence. It can be therapeutic. And it can create friendships.
“You’re part of a team,” said Jerrom. “Often times with choirs people don’t want to sing alone. But they want to be able to sing.”
Tomorrow’s Voices had its debut concert Wednesday night at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in St. Catharines.
The choir rehearses Wednesdays. McKenna said it’s the highlight of her week.
“It means a lot,” she said. “Since I’ve dealt with a lot of bullying in the past, this is a really great outlet.
“When bad stuff is happening in the world this is my safe bubble,” she said.
That’s reassuring to her mother, Kassandra Britt: “She’s made friends and she’s found her place.”
To see the happy, excited daughter she once knew means everything.
“It’s given her such confidence,” she said.
“The whole experience makes me emotional. It’s about knowing my daughter is happy.
“She’s found a place where she is happy and welcomed.”
Nine- year- old Luke Tenyenhuis said it makes him happy to sing in front of people.
“It’s fun to be able to sing with people that you know. And to be able to sing whenever you want.
“You can meet new friends and stuff,” he said.
There are definite benefits to singing in a group.
“The good thing about a choir is sometimes if you don’t know the words, any of the other people are like, ‘ Oh yeah, I remember that now.’ It’s really good to have the other people that know.”
And 12- year- old Emily Fraser said it’s about giving back.
“It’s very exciting. It keeps you warm inside. It’s just good to sing to other people and share what you have to show.
“The choir has a lot of energy. And it’s just really exciting.”
During the first rehearsal, Jerrom divided the group into four and taught them the basics of harmony, said Green. In effect, she taught them to believe in themselves.
“She said, ‘ You just did four- part harmony in five minutes, and it sounded amazing,’” said Green.
“They started to build confidence. They started to feel good about themselves.”