230 voices - and 'not just kids' music'
Charlotte Children's Choir program on Saturday showcases its growth, strength.
By Théoden Janes
Pop Culture Writer
The Charlotte Observer

In its 25-year existence, no former member of the Charlotte Children's Choir has gone on to win a Grammy Award, or headline a Broadway musical or win "American Idol."

But give it another 25 years.

"The mere fact that it's a nonprofit organization that's lasted 25 years right now is a big deal," says artistic director Sandy Holland.

Holland will lead 230 members of the Charlotte Children's Choir as well as several dozen alumni during an anniversary concert Saturday at uptown's Belk Theater. The "Night of Notes" celebration is doubling as a fundraiser (also on tap: a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions) to support the organization).

The membership has grown from two choirs (70 singers, total) to six ensembles since it was founded in 1986 by Elizabeth Kimball, who left in 1991; the staff has expanded from just Kimball to two full-time faculty, two full-time staff, a part-time administrator, and a number of accompanists and assistant directors.

The Charlotte Children's Choir has a long history of notable collaborations. In 1997, the choir harmonized for singer Judy Collins at the Biltmore House in Asheville for a Christmas special televised on the A&E network. Since the mid-1990s, it has sung with the Charlotte Symphony. Next year, the choir will work with the symphony on a production of "Carmina Burana."

And the group gets around: Less than two weeks after "Night of Notes," 30 members of its advanced choirs will fly to Scotland to perform five concerts in nine days.

"The old adage is you're better-known outside your own hometown. We are ... and we get calls every week from choirs or from teachers around the country who are wanting to start or to create some type of children's choir in their communities and wanting advice," Holland says.

"I think it's hard to be known in your own backyard. But I think once people hear us, they're duly impressed. They're kids, but it's not just kids' music. They are really creating artistry, and they're being artists themselves. It's not 'Barney & Friends.'"

For Holland, one of the most rewarding things about her 20-year involvement with the Charlotte Children's Choir is keeping in touch with so many former students and watching them grow into adulthood.

Alumni, meanwhile, say their participation affirmed their childhoods, in some ways, and shaped their adult lives, in others.

"My favorite thing was when we went on tour and got to see different cities and sing in beautiful cathedrals," says Sarah Mather, who traveled to Charleston and Montreal during her years with the group in the mid-'90s. "I made so many friends in choir, and it made me continue to pursue my career in music."

In 2005, Mather - a Providence High School graduate - reached the Top 24 of "American Idol's" fourth season. Today, she is a singer and songwriter living in New York City.

She won't be among those performing on the Belk Theater stage Saturday. But Reed Alexander will.

"The (concert is) gonna be cool because I'm gonna be singing with people I haven't sung with in a long time," says Alexander, 23, who sang with the choir from grades 5 to 12 and is now a radio news director in Auburn, Ala. "But mainly I'm excited to get together, have an excuse to hang out with these friends I made a long time ago.... Kind of re-living the golden age of when we were just kids and carefree. Now we have to worry about money and jobs."