Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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FEBRUARY 24 - MARCH 1, 2016 UCW 23 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM In the past few years the Cumberland Oratorio Singers have been met with tremendous success and opportunities for growth. That includes providing youth opportunities to grow as singers. The group chose to embrace this opportunity by creating the Campbellton Youth Chorus, an idea that has been considered for a while now. "We've been advertising around Cumberland County and really for anyone in the Sandhills area. It is an open invitation for any kids in the age range 9-14. We are called the Campbellton Youth Chorus. We are going to be a choral group that sings various styles — including spiritual, traditional and folk songs. We are really going to try to hit on all genres," Donna Jo Mangus, the Artistic Director, explained. The Campbellton Youth Chorus is still in its infancy. Mangus is taking on its development and growth. A native of Cumberland County, she has years of experience in music and in education. She is currently teaching music at Eastover Central for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. She has an after school choir for fourth and fifth graders called Champion Beat and was the guest conductor for the 2011 Cumberland All-County Elementary Chorus. Combined with her experience with the Cumberland Oratorio Singers, Mangus was a natural fit for the job. She has a passion for introducing students to the world of music. "I know when I hear them and see their vocal growth. I hope to see their growth over years. I'm in this for the long haul. I am excited to see them grow, their performances and to hear how wonderful I know they can be," she says. Mangus plans for the chorus of 40 or 50 kids to be not only fun and engaging for participants, but also educational. They will work with a large variety of musical genres both sacred and secular. "We want to focus on vocal development, vocal production and music literacy — meaning they will be working on learning how to read music," Mangus said. She also expects the group's work with music to benefit the children in ways beyond improved vocal skills. "They learn to work as a group. They have to cooperate to learn how to sing together chorally, work to learn how to blend and work hard together for a particular sound. It is kind of like sports. Everyone has to pull their weight and work hard for a common goal," she says, "I think it helps develop their human aspect and helps them emotionally through the poetry and message of the music that they are trying to sing to the audience. It helps develop their emotions and self-awareness. And I think it is a wonderful form of expression." Rehearsals are at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. The first performance of the Campbellton Youth Chorus is a performance of "Carmina Burana" in accompaniment with the Cumberland Oratorio Singers and the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. For more information or to apply for the chorus visit www. singwithcos.org or call 910.630.7153. Cumberland Oratorio Singers Starts Youth Choir by ERINN CRIDER ERINN CRIDER, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly.com. 910.484.6200 The Campbellton Youth Chorus is accepting new members. It is for children 9-14. Exclusions apply. Not valid with any other oers or coupons. 910-483-2320 1114 Hay Street Fayetteville $199 VALID ON SERIES 4800 windowanddoorspecialties.com Vi s i t o u r s h ow ro o m