Community Outreach

High School Choral Residencies

In our 2004-2005 season, CVAE undertook a new program that proved to be one of its most successful outreach programs to date. Artistic Director Deborah Teske felt strongly about offering CVAE’s services to high schools around Colorado Springs to strengthen their choral programs, and began researching ways the organization could be of use. Discussions with high school choral directors made it clear that what the teachers were looking for were mentors in choral music for their students. This program was created specifically to meet the changing needs of these groups.

High School Choral Residencies create an opportunity for high school choirs in our area to collaborate with and be encouraged by CVAE members. Each set of three workshops is designed to meet the specific needs of the high school choir, based on preliminary conferences with the choir director from each school. In advance, the high school conductors and Ms. Teske decide which choral pieces would best serve their needs, and both groups rehearse those pieces. An average of eight CVAE members participate in each workshop, working individually with choral sections, discussing the history of the works in question and performance approaches based on that history. This approach carries choral education to the next level, allowing students to delve deeper into the music rather than just learning notes. Finally, the residency ends with a public performance merging the voices of all groups-–two high schools and CVAE.

For 2006-2007, CVAE will work with the choirs of Doherty and Rampart High Schools. If funding permits, we will add another school to the program. CVAE sees this as a great opportunity to cultivate stronger high school choirs in our community and to fulfill its mission to broaden interest in the choral art for youth. There are approximately 40 students in each high school choir, so the final event would be a spectacular 100-voice choir. The performance will take place in St. Mary’s Cathedral-–a venue that will offer spectacular but challenging acoustics, a new education for high school students accustomed to performing in high school auditoriums.

CVAE’s greatest asset is its members. These volunteers depart from their everyday lives to create exceptional choral music. They include teachers, social workers, artists and writers–-it is no mistake that these professions require the participants to encourage growth and expression in others. Ten of the current members are educators, and they lead the group in feeling at home in a classroom setting. Singing is not their profession but their passion. For many of them, sharing that passion is central to their process, and they are ideal ambassadors for CVAE’s outreach project.

This program was very well received in its inaugural year, and both high schools called the Residency a highlight. Sand Creek High School director Kim Schultz said it was her students' favorite part of the year, and several students asked whether they would be able to repeat the program next year. After the first master class, one singer was overheard to say, "Can you guys come sing with us everyday? You make us better."

Voice, Verse, and Vision: An Arts Collaboration

“Girl with Olives” by Michael Reardon. Artwork created as a part of “Voice, Verse, and Vision” and inspired by a student poem.

Several years ago, CVAE created what would become an award-winning innovative program. Voice, Verse and Vision: An Arts Collaboration blends the efforts of student writers, adult composers and singers, and adult visual artists in one tour-de-force presentation bringing all the artists together. Poetry written by Colorado Springs students ages 10 through 19 is adopted by several composers who each produce a choral piece based on the student’s poem. Similarly, about twenty-five visual artists create a work of art based on student poems. Each year, the format of the program will alter slightly to include children and adult artists of varying mediums. CVAE believes that the success of this program hinges on the opportunity for student poet to meet adult artist -- as Wendy Wasserstein said, “There is nothing more inspiring for students than to meet an artist who has managed to make a life of creation . . . and there's nothing more inspirational for an artist than being in touch with the future.” This program has evolved into the organization’s annual fundraiser, and is becoming more and more popular with each season.

Touring

During its 10-year history, CVAE has undertaken several tours outside the Colorado Springs area. Audiences in Crested Butte, Pueblo, Alamosa, Sterling, Trinidad, Albuquerque and the greater Los Angeles area have enjoyed CVAE’s music on location. CVAE believes in building strong ties with other communities and presenting quality works and exceptional performances in areas outside of Colorado Springs. To book a performance, e-mail Deborah Teske.

Return to Top of Page