Friends and Family

It was standing room only at our Friends and Family performance last week. It is always nice to look out and see so many supportive faces. 

The Children's Museum

It's always fun to perform at the Children's Museum of Richmond. 

This year we even had one of Santa's elves deliver a message that the Legendary Santa loved hearing us sing! The Singers were good sports as we performed our entire program two times through. They kept their smiles on and their energy high!

Chippenham Hospital Pediatric Unit

Hands down the best part of every year are the service oriented performances.

Watching the power music has to lighten hearts and bring hope and joy is always amazing to me. It is even more powerful when it comes from children.

The Singers felt it too as we caroled at Chippenham hospital this past week. It was fun to sing for both patients and staff and to realize that the Christmas spirit can be felt many different places in many different conditions.

We won!

We did know we were being judged at the Midlothian Days Parade but it had not even entered our minds that we could win anything. We had no idea what to expect from the day. However, not only did the Singers win but whey won for "Best Overall" which we were repeatedly told is the most prestigious award the Parade judges present.

Mr. Quenton Lee, chair of the Parade came to deliver the trophy to us in person during our rehearsal on Thursday. He was quite complimentary of our Young Midlothian Singers for both their singing and their behavior and respect during the event. He was especially grateful for our opening the parade with the National Anthem.

It is so much fun to watch each singer learn and grow in confidence and vocal ability during the year. It is gratifying to watch also how we grow as a choir and are able to bring music to our community.

Now all we need is a trophy case!

Everyone LOVES a Parade!

It was a chilly, rainy morning but we were ready for the Parade.We were thrilled to participate in the Midlothian Days Parade for the first time and honored to be asked to sing the National Anthem to start things off.

We did have some time after the anthem to hang out together, rehearse and be silly!

 It was our first event of the session and the singers were all excited to wear their shirts and use our new sign and be out in the community sharing music! 

 

Once we started marching the singers had fun throwing candy, singing, passing out flyers and performing "Sing" for the Parade judges.

The Thrill of It All

It's always fun to have new stuff! This year our bright red t-shirts seem to be met with extra energy and enthusiasm. We also have some new YMS signs to use during rehearsal and as we go to events in the community. We are looking forward to debuting both our new shirts and signage when we march and perform in the Midlothian Days Parade on October 19th!
The singers had a lot of fun today as we started choreography for both "Run, Run Rudolph" and "Winter Wonderland" -- two holiday favorites for sure! Choreography goes smoothly when lyrics and tunes are already comfortable and memorized. Listen to those CDs!

Singing Makes Us Happy

We are off to a great start with our new session, "Winter Wonderland"! With lots of returning singers and several new faces, we have plunged right in to new songs, vocal technique, harmony and choreography.
We are SO happy to be singing together again!
WHY? You ask?
Well, actually the following is a great article found on TIME.com that answers that very question!

"When you sing, musical vibrations move through you, altering your physical and emotional landscape. Group singing, for those who have done it, is the most exhilarating and transformative of all. It takes something incredibly intimate, a sound that begins inside you, shares it with a roomful of people and it comes back as something even more thrilling: harmony. So it’s not surprising that group singing is on the rise. According to Chorus America, 32.5 million adults sing in choirs, up by almost 10 million over the past six years. Many people think  of church music when you bring up group singing, but there are over 270,000 choruses across the country and they include gospel groups to show choirs like the ones depicted in Glee to strictly amateur groups like Choir! Choir! Choir! singing David Bowie’s The Man Who Sold the World.

As the popularity of group singing grows, science has been hard at work trying to explain why it has such a calming yet energizing effect on people. What researchers are beginning to discover is that singing is like an infusion of the perfect tranquilizer, the kind that both soothes your nerves and elevates your spirits."

Read more: http://ideas.time.com/2013/08/16/singing-changes-your-brain/#ixzz2gae9CsCr

Spring into Summer... 2013

Our spring session flew by... so much learning, singing and FUN in just 8 short weeks!

After learning 9 new songs (including choreography and staging), we had the opportunity to kick-off the Walton Park community's Memorial Day weekend.  We performed our patriotic "Standing Up for Freedom" program to the community members during their chilly celebration of opening the pool.  Many people in the audience commented that they were touched by the patriotic songs and the singers performances.

We were able to do "Standing Up for Freedom" twice more, once for our traditional Friends & Family gathering, and once at the Sitter Barfoot long-term care facility at the VA hospital.  The residents and staff at the VA were so welcoming and appreciative.  These veterans were thrilled to hear these young singers perform the songs of America--and sang along with us on many of them!  We know the singers loved sharing their joy and enthusiasm with these older friends.

After the "regular" performances were over, YMS got together two more times to perform the National Anthem--for the Richmond Kickers soccer team and the Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball team.  Getting to open a sporting event is an exciting opportunity for these young kids--not something you get to do every day!  The singers did a great job and are getting so good at dealing with all the quirks that come up with these outdoor performances (sound system delays, heat, waiting, distractions, etc.).  They handled themselves like pros!

Spring Session

The fun and challenge of Spring Session is that we move at break neck speed! Can't you tell?!
We have already introduced most of the songs and choreographed several and we're only in week 2. Please please make sure practice is getting in at home so we can move forward each week and no one gets left behind!

The Singers especially love "Surfin' USA".

This session, it is nice to also focus on narrative parts of the program as we honor the men and women who serve our country. Hopefully you can invite a veteran you know to our Friends and Family performance in May!

Lucky Shamrocks!

We got to sing at the Westchester Shamrock 5K for the first time! Despite the rain and cold and some choreography changes (due to small stage space), the Singers handled it like pros! 

The show must go on, right?!?

We were able to sing two numbers to help get the runners in the right mood for their race. We blended right in with the festivities of the day -- leprechauns and pots of gold -- with our lime green shirts!

Some singers even chose to stay to cheer on the runners and compete themselves in the Kids Run. What a fun day!

Join the Circus

SPOILER ALERT!!

One of our songs, "Bigger Isn't Better" requires some serious silliness! Mimes, tight rope walkers, acrobats and clowns, who knew we had all this and more right among our own group of singers.

 

 

This session it has been so fun to give each singer so many individual "parts" -- vocal solos, dance solos, speaking parts, acting bits, circus acts...it's all part of the show!

Props

One of the most fun aspects of performing is the props! All of a sudden, a dance, song or dialogue takes on a whole new dimension when costumes, set pieces and props enter the scene. Last Thursday's rehearsal was no different. We were able  to use our canes for the first time this session in "Accentuate the Positive" (going for a 30's soft-shoe theme). They were a big hit and no one actually got hit in the process (despite the required swinging and  twirling in the air)! The singers' pulled it off beautifully, staying focused on their choreography and not being thrown in the slightest. Very fun stuff.

 

"True Colors"

This week we had a wonderful first rehearsal of our Winter Session of YMS. Our theme this session is "True Colors" and we have chosen songs from many different genres that celebrate the special nature of each individual, being true to ourselves and respecting the good in others. This seems fitting as each week in rehearsal we support and respect and learn about eachother's differences and strengths and yet focus our efforts to come together to make a beautiful sound.
We gladly welcome Micaela Candela, our newest member! One of my favorite parts about rehearsal this week was the feeling of friendship and anticipation that was there. The kids seemed so happy to see eachother (after only a few weeks' break). We commented to them how important that feeling of support and friendship is when working together to sing. Especially when the purpose is to inspire and uplift others.
It was wonderful to see the singers come in and be so enthusiastic and ready to get to work on our new songs and dances. We sang through each song in a circle and even got started on some choreography. With our group consisting of so many "seasoned" members, it will be amazing to see what we can accomplish in the next 11 weeks!

Wrapping up the Session

Our Fall Session "Simple Gifts" wrapped up with a standing-room-only Friends and Family performance at the Walton Park Clubhouse and a heartfelt program at "Miracle of Christmas" live at the Metro Richmond Zoo. Performing for our friends and family is always a highlight as the kids have worked so hard and are anxious to share with those they love most!

Singing at the zoo the past two years has been am amazing experience. Luckily, the weather cooperated and bundled up, we were able to sing songs to bring Christmas warmth and cheer to hundreds gathered to watch the live nativity. The kids especially love the free donut and hot chocolate waiting them after their performance! This event always helps us remember the true meaning of Christmas and we are grateful for the chance to perform there.