Straight River Youth Singers
By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Staff Writer
“There is a need for youth to have ways to use their voices in healthy and beautiful ways,” said Harthan, “to reflect the goodness of the world around us and the joy of genuine human connection.” Harthan believes that need is ever present, and that the opportunity to fulfill that need in song has a lasting effect on our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being that will in turn affect all who hear it.
“How we use our time and what we choose to raise our voices for matters - a lot,” Harthan continued. “I happen to believe in the power of surrounding ourselves with truth, goodness, and beauty - and we know a little about that as musicians.”
Harthan needed collaborators to pull off an organization as large as the one she was envisioning. She decided to reach out to Melissa Williams of New Richland, who works as a vocal instructor at the University of Minnesota, Mankato, as well as Gustavus Adolphus. “I hadn't heard from her since our college days,” said Williams. “We were in choir together.” When Harthan asked Williams if she would direct the junior high and high school ensembles, Williams enthusiastically acquiesced.
“We're hoping to get NRHEG students, Hayfield students, Blooming Prairie students – just inviting everybody who wants to come,” said Williams.
Harthan approached another fellow Northwestern graduate, Heidi Brasher of Kasson, Minn., to ask if she would direct the 4th - 6th grade choir. Brasher has worked in the field of music since 2002, as an elementary music teacher, an elementary and high school choral director, and musical theater director. She currently teaches piano, guitar, and voice in her home studio. Brasher, whose goal is to help students make joy-filled memories that will spur them on to become life-long musicians, readily agreed to direct the youth choir.
With two music directors and an accompanist on board, Harthan gathered a board of directors among community members enthralled with the idea of providing a quality music education in the form of choral ensembles.
The only remaining piece of the puzzle was a rehearsal location. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at 2500 7th Avenue Northeast, Owatonna graciously offered to donate the use of their facilities during the spring semester to the SRYS from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. each Sunday, with the first rehearsal scheduled for February 5.
Although the rehearsal schedule is tentative, times are currently slated at:
10th – 12th grade Singers of Straight River 1:45 p.m. - 3 p.m.
4th - 6th grade Straight River Treble Choir 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
7th – 9th grade Straight River Chorale 3:10 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.
A QR code on either the SRYS website, www.straightriveryouthsingers.com, or on their Facebook page under 'Straight River Youth Singers' will give those interested the opportunity to sign up for a five-minute audition time, during which students will sing a song of their choice “just to see where they are, and where they would fit into the Straight River Singers,” said Williams.
The tuition fee for joining any of the three choirs will be $150 per semester per student, with a family maximum of $300. So a family with three children could have a third child in any of the choirs free of charge. “The money that comes in will help us purchase the music,” said Williams. As of now, several sources have offered the use of their music repertoire free of charge, including various churches, schools, and youth choirs. “We're trying to make it relatively affordable, and we don't want money to be a stumbling block.” If there are students for whom cost is a problem, SRYS hopes to be able to offer financial assistance or scholarships. For those who want to sign up before the date of the first rehearsal on Feb. 5, there is an early-bird discount, which would get them a semester for $135.
Besides the tuition fee, SRYS students will be responsible to purchase their concert attire.
Auditions for the three choirs at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church are scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 14 from 9 a.m. - noon, and Sunday, Jan. 15 from 1 - 3 p.m. In addition, those who find it more convenient may choose to audition at St. Peter Lutheran Church in New Richland on Sunday, Jan. 22 from 1 – 3 p.m. Auditions for New Richland and the surrounding communities may also be scheduled on Saturday, Jan. 21 as needed.
In thanks for the use of their facilities, SRYS will sing for an up- coming worship service at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. The youth choirs will sing their first spring concert, titled “Sing for Joy,” at Trinity Lutheran Church, Owatonna on Sunday, May 7 at 3 p.m.
The spring concert will be the end of the season for SRYS choirs, who will take a break during the summer. August auditions will initiate a new semester of rehearsals be- ginning after Labor Day.
“It is a Christian faith-based organization,” Williams explained, emphasizing that the organizers don't want anyone to be put off by that. “We just want to make sure we communicate that, so there's nothing that's going to be a surprise or offend anybody.”
"I hope these kids will receive excellent vocal and musical train- ing, while also engaging in a positive, helpful, Christ-centered environment,” Brasher said. “I hope they feel wanted, included, and part of a team. When they walk through the doors, I hope they expect to work hard, but have fun; and by the time they leave, I hope the process and experience of making music boosts their moods, encourages them in their faith, and keeps them ready for more the very next week."
"I want our singers to learn to sing with beauty and freedom, to discover varying genres of music and to try new techniques,” said Williams, who has already chosen music from various eras from Ba- roque to modern for the spring con- cert. “I hope that they feel welcomed and valued. We want to encourage them to set aside nerves and self-consciousness and embrace confidence as these ensembles grow in their musical and life skills. All of us are hoping that the singers see Christ shining through us, the adult leaders."
Some aspects of the fledgling program are still tentative and in the planning stages. One hope is that, if there are musicians in the choirs who play other instruments, that there may eventually be opportunities for them to play their instruments with the choirs.
The sanctuary of Trinity Lutheran in Owatonna, where the choirs will do their spring concert.
Emphasizing an aspect inextricable from any group involving music and young people, Harthan said of her collaborators, Williams and Brasher, “These women are in- credible musicians and teachers - and fun, they are very fun.”
SRYS mission statement: “Joining youth voices in harmony; cultivating healthy and beautiful singing.”