Let Freedom SING! Girlchoir National Convention unites 100 All-American Choristers from all 50 States together in Bipartisan Song

July 24-29, 2016 in Philadelphia

There’s a power-broker convention coming to Philadelphia in July but it’s not the one you’re thinking of. Yes, the Democratic National Convention will be held in Philadelphia in late July, but so will the “Let Freedom SING!” Girlchoir National Convention (LFS! GNC), a six-day choral festival celebrating the beauty, recognizing the power, and affirming the importance of girls singing together. When these 100 young women raise their collective, bipartisan voice in song, they will ensure that Philadelphia will be “City of Brotherly and Sisterly Love.”

“Let Freedom SING!” Girlchoir National Convention (LFS! GNC) is being hosted by Pennsylvania Girlchoir (PG) and its parent organization, Commonwealth Youthchoirs, and is the brainchild of Founder and Artistic Director Steven Fisher. “The fact that these two conventions are taking place at the same time is no coincidence, said Fisher.  “In presidential election seasons, I – like most Americans – grow weary of partisan politics dividing us as a country. It seemed like a perfect opportunity to showcase choral music and its extraordinary ability to – quite literally – unite all 50 states.” But why a National Convention of girl singers? “Let’s just say,” Fisher adds, “I hedged my bets that Philadelphia would be a unique place to celebrate and encourage female empowerment in the arts. As a founder of an organization that aims to transform the lives of young people through the power of making music together, I’m keenly aware of the how choral music empowers young women in a unique way when they have the opportunity to make it surrounded by other girls, helping them to develop into strong, confident women who are at the ready to – literally – let their voices be heard.”

The six-day choral festival involves preparation in advance, as Singer Delegates must learn a repertoire of ten songs before they arrive. “It will be a magical choral moment at the opening of the Convention when these young women get to hear for the first time how 50 states singing together sounds,” Fisher predicts. “From that moment on, they will no longer be strangers, but friends in song, creating a nationwide network of choral sisterhood that will last a lifetime.”

“We are proud to send two of our dedicated and talented singers to add to the amazing nationwide power of girls’ voices,” said Danya Tiller, Artistic Director of Phoenix Girls Chorus, and Shelly Winemiller, Artistic Director for Bella Voce Young Women’s Choir, from Minnesota affirmed, “What a truly remarkable occasion for young women to gather in song to celebrate the gift of young women’s choral music.” South Carolina Singer Delegate Ashleigh Allen, from the Cane Bay Choirs, is thrilled to get the once in a lifetime opportunity, “I can’t wait to sing with so many other amazing singers from across the country!”

Singer Delegates must arrive in Philadelphia with all music already learned. The repertoire includes patriotic favorites “America the Beautiful” by Samuel A. Ward, “The Star Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key and “God Bless America”, by Irving Berlin, and stunning selections of “Child of My Heart” by Jacob Narverud/Bette Milleson James and “Still I Rise” by Rosephanye Powell, and many more. Each of the various pieces that make up the breathtaking repertoire will be led by dynamic conductors. The roster of LFS! GNC Conductors & Guests include:

• Christine Bass, conductor of the Women’s Chorus of Temple University
• Rollo Dilworth, Associate Professor of Music Education at Temple University and children and youth choir extraordinaire
• Angie Johnson, artistic director of Young Naperville Singers‘ Young Women’s Choir, Bella Voce
• Melissa Malvar Keylock, associate director of Princeton Girlchoir, and Director of Admissions of American Boychoir
• Vincent Metallo, Pennsylvania Girlchoir music director and former music director of the American Boychoir
• Danielle Molan, conductor of Pennsylvania Girlchoir‘s Scholas and one of the most exciting, up and coming conductors of Girlchoirs.
• Dr. Elizabeth Parker, Pennsylvania Girlchoir conductor and associate professor of music at Temple University.
• Andrea Ramsey, one of the most sought after women choral conductors, composers, and clinicians.

In addition to a culminating “Let Freedom SING!” Concert on July 27 in “The Castle” at Arcadia University, there will be other “pop-up” performance opportunities at historic sites throughout Philadelphia. DNC delegates taking in the city should not be surprised if they suddenly have a soundtrack to go along with their cheesesteak experience in South Philly or their Rocky experience on the Art Museum steps.

It won’t be all singing. Peer connections are a big part of the experience, according to Fisher. “In what is being called ‘choral caucuses,’ the young women will have an opportunity to explore all the ways that unite them – no matter what state from which they hail or their walk of life. The caucuses will also spotlight careers for women conductors and composers, led by leading women composers. Participants will also take part in civic activities around a town that can rightfully claim to be “the birthplace of America.”  And, of course, with teenagers there will be the all-important social time. The high school tenors and basses of the Keystone State Boychoir (KSB), PG’s brother-choir, will be invited to a dance and social on the Arcadia University campus. KSB, and its now famous soloist Bobby Hill, recently drew the world’s attention when they, alongside the Pennsylvania Girlchoir, sang for Pope Francis in Philadelphia this past September.

About “Let Freedom SING!” Girlchoir National Convention

The “Let Freedom SING!” Girlchoir National Convention (LFS! GNC) is a six-day choral festival that will bring together two young women “Singer Delegates” from each of the 50 states in the Union to celebrate the beauty, recognize the power, and affirm the importance of girls singing together. The GNC will be held Sunday, July 24-Friday, July 29, 2016, in Philadelphia. and is hosted by Pennsylvania Girlchoir and its parent organization Commonwealth Youthchoirs.

Photo Opportunities during all events are available upon request – for more Press information, please visit the LFS/NGC website

Commonwealth Youthchoirs’ Gala Concert on June 18 at 7:30 pm in the Kimmel Center’s Verizon Hall will showcase Pennsylvania Girlchoir alumna Kathleen “Katie” O’Mara and KSB alumnus Christopher “Chris” Hochstuhl as the soloists for Fitz’s Concert Mass. Katie began at PG as a seventh grader and toured in Argentina and Uruguay as well as Italy before graduating in 2014. Chris joined KSB in ninth grade and participated in several mini-tours before graduating in 2011. Meet the soloists.

The entire Commonwealth Youthchoirs family welcomes Dr. Elizabeth Cassidy Parker as the new conductor of the Pennsylvania Girlchoir (PG) Troubadors. Dr. Parker will also work with the Scholas, along with another soon to be named Conductor. Dr. Parker is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at the Boyer College of Music at Temple University. But she is no stranger to PG! Her daughter Sara is a Trouvere.

“After closely observing the wonderful work of the Pennsylvania Girlchoir, I am thrilled to join this vibrant organization,” says Dr. Parker. “I look forward to making music with the girls and getting to know their families.”

“We are so very fortunate to have Dr. Parker join us,” says PG Music Director Vincent Metallo. “She has many gifts that will allow the Girlchoir – and in particular our younger singers – to carry on the PG tradition of choral excellence, as well as help us reach even greater musical heights.”

An active clinician for children’s and youth choirs, Dr. Parker held the position of Director of Music for a large New York City not-for-profit where she grew a children’s choir program of more than 250 voices. While on music faculty at Columbus State University in Georgia, Dr. Parker served  the Artistic Director of the Voices of the Valley Youth Choir. She has also taught K -12 school and community choirs in New York, Nebraska, and Georgia, focusing on the vocal development of young people. A choral singer herself, Dr. Parker performed for several seasons with the Marble Collegiate Sanctuary Choir in New York City, and sang in Carnegie Hall with James Conlon and the great Robert Shaw.

Read Dr. Parker’s bio on the PG website.

For Immediate Release
Media Contact:  Leanne Clancy at Lclancy@greenestreetfriends.org or 484-410-9664

PALESTINIAN AND ISRAELI YOUTH CHORUS TO APPEAR AT KIMMEL JUNE 28

(Philadelphia, June 15, 2015) “Transcending conflict through song.” That’s the motto of the Jerusalem Youth Chorus (JYC), an ensemble of Palestinian and Israeli high school students from East and West Jerusalem who not only sing together, but regularly discuss the challenging issues facing their divided region in the hope of being forces for peace. On June 28-29, JYC will be hosted by Pennsylvania Girlchoir (PG) and Keystone State Boychoir (KSB) when it comes to Philadelphia on the final leg of its US Tour.

The visit will include a “dialogue workshop” whereby members of PG and KSB will learn from the members of JYC how to discuss difficult topics in a open, honest, and respectful manner. Rather than focusing on the issues of the Middle East, the workshop will focus on race issues in America. The hope is that the young people of PG and KSB can use the communication skills they develop to be agents of change and peace in their own communities.

The visit includes a joint performance with all three choirs at 7:00pm in the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, June 28. The concert will also feature special guests the Al-Bustan Takht Ensemble. Tickets are on sale through the Kimmel Center Box Office at kimmelcenter.org. Premium seats can be obtained through “Peace in the Middle East” Sponsorships at cychoirs.org.

The Pennsylvania Girlchoir and Keystone State Boychoir organization serves over 650 young people between the ages of 4 and 18 throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding communities. Its singers are no strangers to the legacy of peace. KSB toured India with Gandhi’s grandson as well performed in Oslo at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony for Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. Here at home, PG sang for Malala Yousafzai, Liberty Medal winner and the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner in history. The choirs have travelled the globe, as far north as Svalbard, Norway, the northernmost settlement in the world with a permanent civilian population, and as far south as Antarctica. They are the only choral organization in history to have sung on all seven continents.

(Media can visit our Media Resource page https://cychoirs.org/wordpress/jyc-media for background information, high resolution photos, and more. Please contact Leanne Clancy at Lclancy@greenestreetfriends.org or 484-410-9664 for more information and details on media availabilities during the JYC visit.)

Upper Darby Performing Arts Center to premiere Mother B!

Written by Philadelphia native Steven Fisher, Mother B! is about Mary Ann Bickerdyke, who was also known as Mother B.

Called the “Florence Nightingale of the Civil War,” Bickerdyke witnessed more than 19 battles and set up more than 300 field hospital with innovative approaches to hygiene and soldier care.

Mother B! is about her friendship with “Little Albert,” a character inspired by the real-life Pvt. Albert Cashier. Cashier was born Jennie Hodgers and is the only documented female known to have fought the entire Civil War without being found out by authorities during the conflict.

For Mother B! tickets and more information, go to www.CYChoirs.org/UDPACtickets or call 610-622-1189.

– Inquirer staff
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20150331_Upper_Darby_Performing_Arts_Center_to_premier_Mother_B_.html#D88OJKIm2XQMmfur.99

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Mariangela Saavedra, msaavedra@cychoirs.org, 215.849.1762

WORLD PREMIERE OF NEW AMERICAN MUSICAL ON 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF CIVIL WAR’S END TO BENEFIT LOCAL YOUTH ARTS PROGRAMS

(Philadelphia – March 13, 2015) 150 years ago, on April 9, 1865, Generals Grant and Lee met at the Appomattox Court House to end the Civil War. On April 9, 2015, Mother B!, a “new old-fashioned American musical,” written in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, will premiere at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center (UDPAC) in concert version. The event will star Walnut Street Theatre favorite Denise Whelan, include a cast of 16 Philadelphia actors, and feature 200 singers from the Pennsylvania Girlchoir and the Keystone State Boychoir.

Appomattox – April 9, 1865

Written by Philadelphia native Steven Fisher, Mother B! celebrates the remarkable story of Mary Ann Bickerdyke, aka “Mother B.” Remembered as “the Florence Nightingale of the Civil War,” Mother B’s indefatigable service earned her the profound respect of President Lincoln and General Grant, and the gratitude of the entire Union army. She witnessed over 19 battles and set up over 300 field hospitals with innovative approaches to hygiene and soldier care that helped bring medicine out of the dark ages. In doing so, she saved the lives of thousands of soldiers.

Mary Ann Bickerdyke (Mother B)

The musical revolves around Mother B’s friendship with “Little Albert,” a character inspired by the real-life Private Albert Cashier. Cashier was a tremendously brave, hard-fighting soldier who also had a secret: “he” was actually a “she.”  Born Jennie Hodgers, Private Cashier is the only documented female known to have fought the entire Civil War without being found out by authorities during the conflict. In the musical, Mother B discovers Little Albert and helps keep his secret safe. After the war, Albert’s secret is revealed. When the Illinois Soldier’s Home tries to deny him his rights as a veteran, Mother B takes up his cause.

Featuring a rousing, toe-tapping score in the style of the Golden Age musicals of the 1940s and a story that will make you smile, cry and cheer, Mother B! will transport the audience to an epic time that still fascinates, captivates and haunts us to this day. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Pennsylvania Girlchoir and the Keystone State Boychoir, as well as the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center.

Terry and Amy Nolen are honorary co-chairs of the event. They, along with Fisher (and actor/writer Tina Fey) are alumni of the award-winning youth theatre program Summer Stage, which is in residence at UDPAC. The Nolens went on to found one of the country’s most successful regional theatres, the Arden Theatre. Fisher went on to co-found Commonwealth Youthchoirs*. The organization serves over 600 young singers in four different programs, including the Boychoir and Girlchoir.

Fisher’s other musical works include Mandela, which has been developed in New York and in Johannesburg, and will receive a workshop later in 2015 starring Tony-nominee Norm Lewis. His family musical Isabelle and the Pretty-Ugly Spell received a rave review from the New York Times during its New York run and has enjoyed productions around the country.

For Mother B! tickets visit CYChoirs.org/UDPACtickets or call 610-622-1189.

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publication quality images of the Mother B! logo, Denise Whelan, a Civil War era photo of Mother B (source: National Park Service), and a photo of the choirs in concert can be downloaded in a single zip file: https://cychoirs.org/wordpress/images/MotherBGraphics.zip

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*Commonwealth Youthchoirs (CY) nurtures in young people a profound love of singing with four different programs: Pennsylvania Girlchoir, Keystone State Boychoir, Good Mornin’ Music! and Find Your Instrument! Drawing from more than 125 schools, over 600 children from Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties and beyond are involved in CY programs. For more information, visit www.cychoirs.org.

A panel of Philadelphia business and thought leaders was asked by Philadelphia magazine to name Philadelphia-based and -focused organizations they support personally and why whey would recommend them to others.

Keystone State Boychoir was recommended by Ajay Raju, co-chairman and CEO of Dilworth Paxson. Here’s what he shared:

“Keystone State Boychoir, the only choir in the world to have sung in Antarctica and on all seven continents, serves 190 boys from diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds ranging from ages 8 to 18. They are our region’s finest global ambassadors.”

You can join Ajay Raju with an end of year gift by visiting our online giving page here:

See the full article on Phillymag.com

Posted: October 30th, 2014 on NFLFilms.com

“Ricky Williams – A Football Life” premieres Friday, October 31 at 9pm/ET on NFL Network.

In telling the story of Ricky Williams’ football life, it’s impossible to overstate the importance of his time at Texas. To help illustrate the iconic nature of Ricky’s college career in this film, I wanted the Longhorn football anthem “Eyes of Texas” to be part of the soundtrack. Not only is it a great tune, but I found the lyrics to be thematically relevant to this player who, once he arrived in college, seemed to be placed in a proverbial fishbowl created by the world’s attention.

Once the decision was made to use “Eyes of Texas”, I needed help to make it happen. Enter NFL Films Player & Talent Coordinator Lindsay Spieler, who found the perfect musicians to solve the problem. The Keystone State Boychoir has performed on all 7 continents, and under the direction of Mr. Steve Fisher, they came to NFL Films Studios in June for a recording session and video shoot. Joining them that day was former Longhorn and current Eagle linebacker Emmanuel Acho, a singer and piano player who in just one week taught himself “Eyes” by ear. With DP Jim Barry and AC Phil Gushue shooting, and another Texas alum, Senior Recording Engineer Steve Moseley in the booth, the KSB and Emmanuel delivered brilliantly for “A Football Life” — providing a performance just as unforgettable as the career their song was cued up to salute.

Read this full article and watch the video on the NFL Films website.