UT Music Department reaching out to youth in community

January 8, 2018 | Arts, Events, News, UToday, Arts and Letters
By Angela Riddel



The University of Toledo Department of Music Community Music Program will be adding two community ensembles — the Children’s Choir of Northwest Ohio and the UT Youth Jazz Orchestra.

The Children’s Choir of Northwest Ohio is an existing community group that will come under the wing of the UT Community Music Program, while the Youth Jazz Orchestra is a new creation.

Wolkins

The UT Youth Jazz Orchestra will be directed by Ben Wolkins, jazz trumpet instructor at the University. Interested high school students should sign up online here and attend the informational meeting with their parents Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 6:30 p.m. in the Center for Performing Arts Room 2024. Free parking will be available in lot 12 across the street from the Center for Performing Arts.

The cost to participate in the UT Youth Jazz Orchestra is $60, which covers all music and instruction. No fees are due until the first rehearsal, which will be held Wednesday, Jan. 31. Read more here.

Dr. Jason Stumbo, UT associate professor and chair of music, said there has been great interest in a community ensemble in jazz for high school students.

“We also have tremendously talented jazz faculty and a solid program in which community ensembles can flourish, our Community Music Program. So, we felt this was great fit for us,” Stumbo said. “We’re excited to bring this jazz performance opportunity to the youth in our community.”

The Children’s Choir of Northwest Ohio

Stumbo added the founder and current director of the Children’s Choir of Northwest Ohio, Lisa Allemen, is retiring from her post, but will continue through this spring, after which a new director will be hired.

Founded in 2006 by Allemen, the Children’s Choir of Northwest Ohio is a community-based treble voice children’s chorus open to all youth in grades three through 10 in the area. The program’s mission is to provide an enrichment experience for those children who have a talent and interest in singing and desire an opportunity to sing in a children’s choir.  More information about the choir and how to join can be found here.

Read more about the UT Department of Music Community Music Program here.

For more information on the UT Youth Jazz Orchestra or the Children’s Choir of Northwest Ohio, contact Stumbo at jason.stumbo@utoledo.edu or 419.530.2448.

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