When Children Sing
When children learn to sing,
They rise up strong.
A song will nourish them.
Each tone, each breath
They draw for beauty’s sake will feed
The hunger to excel.
And when the world turns cold,
Then music will be bread to warm their souls.
When children join to sing,
They soon belong.
A song will nourish them.
Each note, each rest
They read upon the staff will shape
A blend of harmony.
And when one voice is stilled,
Then music will be bread to keep them whole.
Music by Mary Goetze
Text by James Heup
As Young Naperville Singers begins its 24th season of song with more than 240 members, the chorus celebrates over two decades of excellence in choral music education. Young Naperville Singers was founded by the late Helen Grubbs in 1984 as an activity designed to foster a love of quality choral music in a wholesome, nurturing atmosphere. The organization consists of five ability based treble choirs made up of singers in first grade through high school.
When Children Sing has become a creed for those who have committed themselves to the organization’s mission. Artistic Director Angie Johnson and directors, Jennifer Helwig, Scott Houlné Iseminger, and Anne Kasprzak working closely with accompanists Melinda Arnold, Janet Ohlson, and Gillean Wilsak, perpetuate the artistic vision that began with Mrs. Grubbs: that through singing the heart is touched, the mind is stimulated and the spirit is set free.
The tireless efforts of the staff, Board of Directors and families of Young Naperville Singers, have enabled the choristers to experience meaningful musical opportunities such as:
- Performing with the American Boychoir
- Participation in the Des Moines International Children’s Choral Festival, the Children in Harmony Music Festival in Orlando, FL, the Crescent City Music Festival in New Orleans, LA, The Niagara International Music Festival in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, and the 11th Annual North American Children’s Chorale, Carnegie Hall, New York.
- Performance collaborations with The Naperville Chorus, The Naperville Men’s Glee Club, The Naperville Municipal Band and the Women’s Chorale of North Central College as well as professional guest artists and opera companies.
- The premiere of seven commissioned works by renowned American composers
Hosted the Songbridge Festival in April 2005, and Unison Choir Exchange with the north american choral company (Grand Rapids, MI) and the Uni Choir (Espoo Music Institute, Finland), June 2007.
- Performances at diverse venues such as Naper Settlement, the Chicago Symphony Center, the Rotary International Convention, an IMEA Convention, and this February, at the American Choral Director’s Association Convention.
- Guest performances at area fund raising events such as the Edward Hospital Cancer Center, The Greater DuPage MYM, My Children’s Homestead and the Sunrise Rotary Mardi Gras Ball
- Tours of the Western United States, Madison, WI, Washington, D.C., and Logansport, IN.
The children and staff of Young Naperville Singers are looking forward to the opportunities and challenges that await as they begin their 2007-2008 performance season and to participating in the 2008 Sing A Mile High Children’s Choral Festival, Denver, CO, June 2008.
