The Haddonfield nonprofit ChildrenSong of New Jersey has a mission to provide high-level vocal music instruction and experiences through its choral program to children regardless of their racial, cultural or economic background. However, the choir has recently come upon hard times financially, and may not be able to continue.
ChildrenSong needs to raise $3,000 by June 30 to continue its vocal training program into next season without a financial shortfall. There is a GoFundMe campaign underway to keep the program alive.
“Most kids don’t have access to a choir program in school or are looking for a higher level of opportunity for singing … (ChildrenSong) provides vocal music training, music literacy and performance experience for all children,” Founding Artistic Director Polly Murray said.
This non-profit program was started in 2000 by Murray, a Haddonfield Public Schools’ elementary and middle school vocal music teacher. She has been providing music vocal training and experiences for 16 years. She started ChildrenSong as she found many music programs were being cut from schools and felt children were missing out because of it.
ChildrenSong of New Jersey offers a place for young performers who have a strong passion for singing and desire to learn. The program spans boys and girls ages 7 to 18 in Camden, Burlington and Gloucester counties in a four-choir tiered program. Singers work their way through each level by achieving a certain level of vocal technique and music literacy. Singers are taught to read and understand music, interpret a score and develop a strong appreciation of many styles of vocal music.
The choir has performed in many exciting venues such as Carnegie Hall, Kimmel Center and Mann Music Center and with amazing ensembles such as the Philadelphia Orchestra and Symphony in C. The choir also travels on tour outside of the state for intense vocal study.
Many program participants have minimal to no vocal music program in their school, while others are homeschooled. ChildrenSong’s vocal training program enables young singers to perform choral masterworks at a young age, build vocal technique in a safe singing environment, develop self-esteem, discipline and express themselves through music-making among their peers.
“It is very unique to have the opportunity to express yourself at a high performance level and feel good at the end of the night after singing and be able to share your music with other people in the community who appreciate good vocal music,” Murray said.
Many older singers appreciate their experience so much they pursue music degrees. One of those program alumni is Haddonfield’s Maggie O’Neill, who recently graduated from Westminster Choir College with a master’s degree in education and has served as co-conductor of ChildrenSong for three years.
“Our singers know how to evaluate their work, and when they create meaningful art, there’s a tangible feeling of gratitude and connectedness in the room. You can’t get that kind of experience in any other setting. Those transcendent moments are unique to the collective singing experience,” O’Neill said.
Murray has attributed the shortfall to enrollment numbers dropping, the lack of grants for small nonprofits and difficulty advertising.
“It is difficult to meet all of the needs with advertising and grant writing for a small organization without the needed funds,” Murray said.
The choir needs financial support from donations. Singers pay a modest, affordable tuition to be in the choir, but it doesn’t cover all expenses. Donations help cover general operating expenses, music staff, sheet music and scholarships for financially needy choristers.
So far ChildrenSong has raised $965 of its $3,000 goal. Those who wish to help ChildrenSong are asked to donate at www.gofundme.com/dhb2cdne.
“Remember, most children who participate in the choir have minimal music in school and others have no choir program at all. We need your help to continue this program,” Murray said.
ChildrenSong has a concert coming up on Saturday, May 14 at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Cherry Hill at 7 p.m. For now, auditions for the choir are planned to start on Mondays in June from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Haddonfield Middle School.
For further information, visit childrensong.org.
