Community Outreach

High School Choral Residencies

During the 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.

In the Residency Program that resulted from these discussions, every year two high schools have an opportunity to collaborate with and be encouraged by CVAE members. Multiple workshops are tailored specifically for the partnering high schools. 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 emulate top-flight singers and to delve deeper into the music rather than just learning notes. Finally, each residency ends with a public performance merging the voices of all groups—two high schools and CVAE. Since the program’s inception, CVAE has worked with the choirs of Sand Creek, Widefield, Doherty, Rampart, Coronado and Mitchell High Schools. More residencies are in the works. We see this as a great opportunity to cultivate stronger high school choirs in our community and to fulfill our mission to broaden interest in the choral art for youth.

CVAE’s greatest asset is its membership and these residencies succeed because of the singers. Our volunteers depart from their everyday lives to create exceptional choral music. They include teachers, social workers, artists and writers—it is no coincidence that these professions require people who encourage growth and expression in others. Indeed, 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 art, and they are ideal ambassadors for CVAE’s outreach projects.

The program has been very well received 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."

Ensemble in Residence at Colorado College

For the 2008-2009 season, CVAE supported and facilitated all choral activities at The Colorado College. In the first semester, the ensemble joined forces with the 80-voice CC Choir, a group made up of students, faculty, staff, and members of the Colorado Springs community. In the second semester, the focus shifted to the Chamber Chorus for an in-depth exploration of the art of chamber singing. Beyond the rewarding high school residency the group already supports, Deborah Teske said, “As both CVAE’s Artistic Director and Director of Choirs at CC, it is a special privilege for me to have a chance to bring these various groups together. The members of CVAE are uniquely qualified to serve as role models for CC students. They bring an unusually high level of commitment and passion to their work together, and a wonderful team spirit is reflected in their singing. Coming from diverse backgrounds and representing a wide variety of personal and professional experience, they are living examples of successful people making art an ongoing and indispensible part of their everyday lives. At the same time, the students at CC have a freshness in their music making that will certainly bring new energy to CVAE.”

Voice, Verse, and Vision: An Arts Collaboration

To the left - “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@cvae.org.