The Roanoker May/June 2023 - 18

In the 'Noke
A Song for All to Hear
written by Kianna Price Marshall
The Roanoke Valley Children's Choir teaches our youth much more than to simply sing beautifully together.
Know a young person who loves to
sing? Visit join/childrenschoir.com.
I
magine being a local high school
student and casually mentioning you
have performed in England, sung on the
most legendary stage in New York City
and were invited to sing before some of
the greatest choral directors in the nation. This
impressive list of accomplishments is the story
for many members of one leading local performing
arts organization, the Roanoke Valley
Children's Choir.
Roanoke Valley Children's Choir, Southwest
Virginia's premiere vocal performance group for
young people ages seven to 18, ignites a love of
music and provides the highest quality of music
education to children in our community. They
share their melodic voices across our region at
their annual spring and winter Concerts, and
at popular events such as Holiday Pops with
the Roanoke Symphony, Community Carol
Sing-a-long at the Taubman Museum of Art
and numerous community events.
Since 1987, the Roanoke Valley Children's
Choir has been captivating audiences locally
and abroad under the exceptional direction of
founder, Kim Davidson. Their performances
offer once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for their
students such as performances at Carnegie
Hall, Washington National Cathedral, the
historic Canterbury Cathedral, the National
Christmas Tree Lighting and four Featured
Choir Performances at the prestigious National
American Choral Director's Association
Conventions. Invitations to these respected
" stages " do not come without discipline, hard
work and implementation of the highest musical
standards.
Every Monday night, over 150 choristers
gather from 50 schools (public, private and
18 MAY/JUNE 2023
home school) for intense rehearsals. They have
made up the largest children's choir in the state
over the last three decades.
So how does Davidson train these voices to
sound like a heavenly choir that is now nationally
recognized? High expectations. Davidson
holds the choristers to the highest standards
of artistic excellence. From the challenging
repertoire selected, to teaching musical theory,
rhythm, harmonies, diction, stage presence and
even other languages. Students are stretched to
reach their highest potential and learn how to
perfect each detail of the music to make each
song into a masterpiece. Beyond learning more
than the notes on the page, through this highly
regarded program students develop confidence,
leadership skills and perseverance.
" The care and consummate integrity with
which Ms. Davidson prepares her young people
is second to none, " says Maestro Steven
White, Artistic Director of Opera Roanoke
and Conductor of Metropolitan Opera House,
New York. " I conduct with orchestras and opera
companies all over the country. I can say without
exaggeration that Ms. Davidson's work with the
RVCC represents the highest level of musical
and artistic integrity. "
This dedicated group doesn't just work hard;
they play hard, too. They provide a place where
lasting friendships grow, musical expression
blossoms and choir can become like family.
Thousands of local young people have participated
in this award-winning choir encouraging
the full expression of each child's potential for
artistic and personal brilliance through the collaborative
experiences of singing.
Grace, who has been in choir for eight years,
says, " There is something deeply magical about
creating beauty with others, and I think the first
time I got my real taste of this magic was in
RVCC. I felt this wonderful sense of camaraderie
and was overwhelmed with the fact that I
was part of something so much bigger and more
beautiful than myself. Together as a choir, we
bring joy, tears and inspiration to the audiences
and lift our voices in something wonderfully
magnificent and exciting. There are not many
other places where you can experience this
magic. I will definitely carry these experiences
with me for many years to come. "
For 36 years, Davidson has provided a matchless
musical environment teaching the youth of
the valley how to work together and pursue
excellence - in singing, in music and in everyday
life. What most people fail to realize is that
this is not an ordinary extracurricular activity.
A high degree of discipline, logic, strong work
ethic and commitment are required to achieve
this level of exceptional greatness. Throughout
their musical journey, young leaders are cultivated
building their confidence and fostering
humility, while earning and gaining love and
respect for one another.
" I realized early in my career that I have a
passion and deep love for the singers in the choir
and their families. The people are the highest
motivating factor for me. The music is important,
but the children and their development,
their future, their growing skills...that motivates
me, " Davidson says.
As a proud alum, I join countless others who
attribute numerous life lessons learned from the
RVCC. Generations of youth from this valley
stand taller in their purpose and with a song in
their hearts, thanks to this highly respected arts
organization. Once one becomes a member, you
quickly fall in love with the musical foundation,
fun and overall choral experience. Many,
like myself, grow up in the choir, starting from
elementary school to graduating high school.
Along the way, you realize you know the lyrics to
almost every holiday song there is, performed in
some of the most famous venues, learned to sing
in four or more languages and treasure some of
the dearest friendships. The legacy of this choir
continues to enrich the voices, minds and character
of its members and inspires and moves the
hearts of those who hear them, while elevating
the art and culture of this community. I
TheRoanoker.com
COURTESY OF THE ROANOKE VALLEY CHILDREN'S CHOIR

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The Roanoker May/June 2023

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