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Monday, November 15, 2010 – Daily News – 3B High school choir programs growing fast and gleefully SACRAMENTO (MCT) — Gabriel Herrera has never had a Slushy thrown in his face. The 17-year-old star run- ning back and wrestler at Florin High School says he's encountered some razz- ing from other athletes for being in the school choir, but it's all good natured. It's nothing like the kind of face-splashing the choir kids endure on the hit televi- sion sitcom "Glee." Acceptance may be tough at "Glee's" fictional William McKinley High School, but at Florin High in Sacramento, choirs are popular. The program has grown from 24 students to 130 in three years and per- formances draw 400 to 500 people, said Don Ross, the principal. Kids even transfer from other schools to partic- ipate, he said. School choirs through- out the nation are prosper- ing of late, and choir direc- tors are singing the praises of an unlikely ally: network TV. "I'll tell you what is boosting this thing," said Mark Cerutti, director of secondary education for the Elk Grove Unified School District. "It's 'Glee.'" Craig Gregory, assistant director of the American Choral Directors Associa- tion, said he's seen a definite increase in interest in choir, sometimes known as glee club, in recent years. "'Glee' has a lot to do with it," he said of the Emmy-nominated Fox tele- vision series. "'Glee' has taken today's music and thrown it into the choir room." Gregory said it has helped change the image of choir as being something for unpopular kids. Nationally, 42.6 million Americans are members of choirs, according to a 2009 study by the nonprofit group Chorus America _ nearly double the number reported in 2003. More than 10 million choir singers are children. Florin High Concert Choir member Kenneth Erickson, 14, said shows like "Glee" and "High School Musical" have made choir more attractive to boys, as well as girls. "It seems like (choir) people overall are enthusi- astic to finally have a pres- ence in mainstream media," said Jan-Marie Peterson, spokeswoman for Chorus America, a national group that promotes choruses. Local choirs also are growing fast. Del Campo High School's choir grew from 20 to 50 students in one year, while the program at Arden Middle School has grown from 19 students to 40 in the last four years, said choir director Pam Mitchell. Middle school choirs in the Folsom-Cordova Uni- fied School District also have doubled in size in recent years, said John Zimny, band director at the district's middle schools. Both Mitchell and Zimny agree that popular culture influences their stu- dents. "I have to admit that 'Glee' and 'High School Musical,' 'The Sing Off' and 'American Idol' have renewed an interest in singing and performing that has helped," Mitchell said. Members of school choirs get plenty of oppor- tunity to perform, entertain- ing at elementary schools, senior centers and commu- nity events. Cerutti said Elk Grove Unified choirs are in big demand and serve as ambassadors for the school district. "We keep them busy," he said. "Kids that get in those programs need to know, it's not show up every day third period. You'll be performing on Fri- day nights and weekends. It becomes part of your responsibility." Cerutti said this popular- ity has helped to keep the district's choral programs strong despite budget cuts. But Chorus America's Peterson warned that choir enthusiasts shouldn't be complacent. "Our studies show that despite popularity, schools are cutting their music and arts programs." Those not cutting such programs are cutting back, often leaving the choirs to HOME SERVICES DIRECTORY 7900 Runs Every Monday - Wednesday - Friday $ $ with a 3 month commitment Blinds Need Blinds? 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Call us at 527-2151 For more information Sidewalks Driveways Patios No early cancellation, non-refundable Advertisement If this was your Service Directory ad customers would be reading it right now!! Call us at 527-2151 For more information raise their own money to pay for uniforms and trans- portation to performances. Members of Folsom- Cordova choirs hold car washes and collect ink car- tridges to earn needed cash, while Florin High choir members raise funds monthly – washing cars or selling cookie dough and beef jerky. Florin singers hosted a talent show Friday to raise money. These efforts have helped Florin High choir students outfit themselves in tuxedoes and black formal gowns, and pay for trans- portation to performances. Herrera, one of three football players in Florin High's choirs, is excited about an upcoming perfor- mance at Disneyland, where he will sing with the school's Vocal Ensemble and newly minted Show Choir. The Show Choir, a per- formance choir that gener- ally focuses on more popu- lar songs, is the crux of "Glee" and what choir kids are most enthusiastic about. "Everyone wants to be in it," said Brittney High, 17, a member of the Florin Show Choir. Florin's other choir pro- grams are doing well, too. The Concert Choir, for beginners, was filled to capacity with 50 students. E A C I L L V E R N E ' S S T B A O