After three years of singing, bonding and performing, the Okanagan Children’s Choir is growing.
A new teen division called OCC Youth will be starting rehearsals in September, providing singers in Grades 8 to 10 the opportunity to pursue their passion.
OCC Youth will be conducted by a new addition to the Okanagan, Taylor Bone. The choral conductor is excited to get started and assist older children transition to the new division, as well as welcome new singers to the group.
Because adolescence can be a time of great change for a child’s voice, many stop singing. Bone says the new youth choir will assist singers during this transition.
“It’s really important that they keep singing through this voice change, otherwise they can lose parts of their voice,” Bone said. “Just providing a safe place where they can do that is really important.”
Elena Masyte is 13 and will be joining OCC Youth this fall. She was part of the children’s division, but outgrew the choir.
Elena is thrilled to be returning to the organization.
“It’s exciting. I’ve got friends and they’re going to do it with me,” Elena said. “I love singing. I’ve done singing lessons since I was five.”
The organization plans to fill half the youth choir spots with returning children moving into Grade 8 and half with new talent.
Auditions are being held this month, August and the beginning of September.
Rehearsals begin in the fall on Thursday evenings, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at First United Church in Kelowna. The organization has several performances booked throughout the year.
To book an audition, visit the Okanagan Children’s Choir website.