Valley Children’s Choir performs in Minneapolis

The Valley Children’s Choir, one of the ensembles offered by the Valley City State University Community School of the Arts recently returned from a performance tour to Minneapolis Nov. 6-7. While there, they had the opportunity to perform with the Angelica Cantanti choir, as well as performances at Plymouth Creek Elementary School and the Meadow Woods Assisted Living Center. In addition to performances, the choir members visited the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Mall of America, and enjoyed a swim party at the Holiday Inn Express.

Valley Children’s Choir is directed by Dr. Sara Hagen and during the tour was accompanied by Jocelyn Hagen Takach. Choir members who participated in the tour were: Amanda Bjork, Shawnya Chavez, Katie Clark, Mercidez Gille, Abby Ingstad, Jack Jordan, Rebekah Jordan, Camille Kawasaki, BreeLynn Komrosky, Mikey Meester, Elly Milender, Rebecca Montecuollo, Sarah Montecuollo, Jade Oksendahl, Hailee Peterson, Hannah Peterson, Tanisha Petherbridge, Caleb Reign, Mikaylah Ross, Ashley Tahran. Adult chaperones for the tour were: Marsha Montecuello, Penny Peterson, Sue Milender, Sarah Meester, Paige Kawasaki, Brenda Bjork and Cindy Ross.

This tour has been a long-awaited event for the choir. Originally planned for May 2009, the tour had to be postponed due to the extensive flooding in the area. After a long summer of waiting, the children came back together in August and continued preparing for this event. Hagen said the tour went very smoothly, and the children represented the community well. The choir was well received at their performances, and showed a high level of maturity in staying focused for three performances in a short time period.

Sarah Meester, a Valley City parent of a choir member and adult chaperone on the tour, said “I think this was an incredible experience for these students. It was wonderful to hear them sing and see the confidence in each one as they performed in the different venues. We are so grateful for this opportunity.”

The VCC is open to any interested boys or girls currently in grades 4-6. Any of these students interested in learning more about the choir or joining the ensemble are invited to attend an open rehearsal from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday in the Choir Room at VCSU’s Foss Hall. A short audition will be held immediately following the rehearsal. Any questions can be directed to Dr. Hagen by calling 701-845-7270 or e-mailing sara. hagen@vcsu.edu.

Tags: diversions, performances, entertainment, choir, valley, children