For five years, the Concord Chorale has included the voices of area schoolchildren in Sounding Joy, the chorale’s annual holiday concert. Students were invited and prepared by their choral directors, who are members of the chorale.
In the spring of 2006, the Concord Chorale decided to explore the possibility of offering choral opportunities to area youth throughout the year. Following extensive research on youth choirs, the Concord Chorale was compelled to develop an educational choral ensemble for area youth. Thus, the Concord Chorale Youth Chorus, an auditioned treble choir, was born.
The Concord Chorale Youth Chorus auditions new vocalists yearly in June and September for membership in the upcoming school year. Students entering the fifth through tenth grade are eligible to audition. Following the tenth grade year, Youth Chorus members have the opportunity to audition for the adult choir.
Tuition for the 2007-2008 season is $400.00 and includes a music theory class convening one-half hour before rehearsal. The cost of music, choral folios, and concert attire is in addition to tuition fees. Rehearsals are held on Saturday mornings. The youth chorus will perform in two scheduled performances with other opportunities for performance scheduled as they become available.
Mission Statement
About the Director
The 2007-2008 school year begins Sue Coburn's twenty-fifth year at Kearsarge Regional Middle School in New London, NH, where she directs three choirs and teaches sixth, seventh, and eighth grade general music. Sue earned a Bachelor of Music degree with a major in music education and an applied major in voice from Crane School of Music in 1982 and a Master of Education degree with a major in educational administration from Keene State College in 1988. She is an active member of both MENC: The National Association for Music Education and the American Choral Directors' Association, and serves on the executive board of the New Hampshire Music Educators Association as General Music Chairperson. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Sue maintains her personal musicianship by singing soprano with the Concord Chorale, an auditioned community choir based in Concord, NH.
Mrs. Coburn was born and raised on New York's Long Island. She lives in Bow, NH with her husband, Mike, and two children. Camping, reading, and listening to music are her favorite pastimes.