Don’t let children’s chorus go away
A Dec. 14 article titled “Saratoga prepares for last concert” announced the close of the Saratoga Children’s Chorus and their final concert after 25 years due to financial hardship.
The concert. which was held at the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church,which has also been the practice location for the chorus,was festive and lively and featured the SCC, a youth chorus for ages 8-18. Many family members and members of the community enjoyed a selection of sweet seasonal songs, a showcase of talents by children in the chorus who auditioned to perform solos, including fiddle, and song. The performance included the younger siblings and young members of the audience inviting them to join the chorus with bells to sing “Jingle Bells.” Former members of the chorus were invited back to join in singing “Oliver Cromwell”, a standard of the chorus.
Many former members of the chorus, who are now in college,attended the concert. In speaking with them, each expressed deep sadness at the ending of the chorus, sharing that the SCC had provided them with self confidence from performing, guidance to studies in music, and treasured memories and friendships.
Emily Rosoff, guest soprano, is a former SCC member and student of director Susan Fedak. Miss Rosoff is now a graduate student in opera studies and graced us with a performance of “Donde lieta” from La Boheme. Her performance gave testimony to the value of the SCC in the growth,futures and lives of many young people.
In an age of fast paced lives, cell phones,and constant media in our children’s lives, the Saratoga Children’s Chorus has provided a nurturing, wholesome time for local children and children from neighboring counties. At each rehearsal, children experience the joy of singing, and receive high quality musical and choral instruction. The children learn about various composers, choral works, music reading and have the experience of performing and seeing the results of their hard work.
As a parent of members of the SCC, it is my hope, and the hope of all chorus families, to find avenues to continue the chorus. The SCC welcomes private business, individuals, business associations and the city to embrace adopt and sponsor the chorus indefinitely as a gift to the community. In a prestigious community such as Saratoga Springs, known nationwide as a center of the arts, history and culture, our ideals to build a wonderful community best begins with our children.
By nurturing the gifts and talents of our young people, we make the greatest, most valued investment in our towns and futures, reaping a lifetime of benefits.
If you may have interest in sponsoring the Saratoga Children’s Chorus, please email Mrs. Breen at saratogachildrenschorus@ gmail.com. Kristin Breen Cambridge
The story of God’s chosen people, full of hope, awaiting the promised savior. When the angel of God came to one of them, Mary, to ask her to be the savior’s mother. With faith and humility she accepted her role and with charity and courage, she hastened to help her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth, full of trust and faith, welcomed Mary and her unborn baby. Joseph had a rather unbelievable part. Could anyone have such faith, such humility, so much courage and love that he would take Mary as his wife and take on the role of protector and foster father of the redeemer? We see the joy of the angels and the courage and faith exhibited by the shepherds; and the faith of the Magi who undertook a long journey so that they could encounter the savior of the World. The most unbelievable character of the all is the creator of the universe who had such humility, trust and love that He entrusted himself entirely to the care of one of His creatures, Mary.
We may never become paragons, but the examples of virtue found in the Christmas story can bring us a lot more satisfaction than a big pile of presents. John Otrembiak Saratoga Springs voting and ethics reforms - so that people don’t feel tainted by participating in the electoral process, or turned off by arcane rules that serve to keep people from exercising their right to vote.
This fall the League of Women Voters of Saratoga County registered voters at 14 different venues throughout the county, distributed voter registration forms to hundreds more, gave out absentee ballot applications. We held public educational and candidate forums, issued press releases, posted information and videos on www.lwvsaratoga.org passed out Facts for Voters and brochures on the ballot questions. We provided candidate information to several thousand voters.
We did everything we could to educate voters so they could make an informed decision based on facts, not rhetoric. So did other groups and candidates. But it wasn’t enough – only 35 percent of the registered voters in Saratoga County went to the polls.
If our representatives are serious about improving our democracy, they need to act now. Tell your state Assembly member, senator and the governor to pass comprehensive voting reforms and bring our election and ethics procedures into the 21st century!
Barb Thomas Saratoga Springs The author is president of the League of Women Voters of Saratoga County Letters should be e-mailed to letters@saratogian.com. Letters should be around 400 words long and must include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification purposes.