By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great local journalism.
Young singers sought for new chorale group
Placeholder Image
Forsyth County News
North Georgia Youth Chorale

The next audition is scheduled for 10 a.m. June 13 at New Song Community Church, 230 Elm St., in Cumming. Appointments for auditions may also be made. Contact: (770) 789-1144.
Two Forsyth County school teachers with a history in community choir are looking for local talent to form the North Georgia Youth Chorale.

Auditions started last month for the nonprofit organization. Co-founder McKenzi Fenn said spots remain for those looking to try out.

Fenn, the chorale director at North Forsyth High School, and Silver City Elementary teacher Donna Bailey need young people in fourth through 12th grades with a love of music.

“There’s awesome talent in Forsyth County,” Fenn said. “We think the music programs kids have in school are incredible, but we want to build on that. We want to give kids another opportunity to perform that they may not have in school.

“We want to give them another outlet to be trained and to develop a new hobby.”

She said auditioning for the choir is the first step, which requires that students sing “My Country Tis of Thee,” “Happy Birthday” or a song of their choice.

“They have to sing some echo patterns,” Fenn said. “And for the older kids, there’s more complex components, but none of it’s scary at all ... if you can match pitch, we want you to sing with us.”

Bailey said prospects are looking good for the singing group.

“So far, the students that have come out have done a good job, and the parents we’ve met have been excited about what we’re doing,” Bailey said.

She said launching the program has been a “dream goal” she’s had for many years. Then Bailey found that Fenn had a similar goal.

“The more she and I began to talk, I realized we both shared this vision,” Bailey said. “We both know the difference that a community choir experience can make in the lives of students.”

Fenn said she started singing in a community choir when she was 5 years old.

“It’s basically what prompted me to become a music teacher, the great experience I had,” Fenn said.

The chorale plans to hold one performance per semester and will perform for the public.

“We have some things in the works,” Fenn said.

E-mail Frank Reddy at frankreddy@forsythnews.com.