FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nancina Pope, Executive Director
Charlotte Children’s Choir
704-374-1892 #22

Target Communications
(612) 696-3400 

Charlotte Children’s Choir Receives Grant from
Target for Neighborhood Choir Outreach

Charlotte, NC September 30, 2008 — Charlotte Children’s Choir today announced a partnership with Target^® in recognition of its efforts in providing service to the community. The Neighborhood Choirs project is an outreach initiative with the goal to provide access to choral music as an art form and to provide a means of self-expression through music in a non-competitive group setting.   The CCC will join forces with two established community afterschool programs to implement the twelve week choral arts experience at their locations.  Children will meet weekly with the CCC Neighborhood Choir Director to study choral music, basic music and vocal skills, as well as choral performance techniques; the project culminates with a final concert for families and the community.

“The broad appeal of choral singing is based in the opportunity it gives each singer to participate in an activity that involves them artistically, builds community, enhances their skills, and results in a product of great beauty. Choral singing has few barriers to participation than those posed by other art forms.  We want all children to experience the beauty of song and performance and use this art form for self-expression in a non-competitive environment.”

This grant is part of ongoing efforts by Target to strengthen families and communities throughout the country. Since opening its doors, Target has given 5 percent of its income to organizations that support education, the arts, social services and volunteerism. Today that translates to more than $3 million every week.

“At Target, our local grants are making a difference in the communities we serve,” said Laysha Ward, vice president, community relations, Target. “We’re proud to partner with Charlotte Children’s Choir as part of our ongoing commitment to give back to the communities where our guests and team members live and work.”

Additionally, Target gives through signature programs that are designed to inspire learning in children and families. Programs include:

• Take Charge of Education^®, a school fundraising program;

• Target Field Trip Grants, a program that helps educators bring learning to life for students through the distribution of grants;

• Ready. Sit. Read!, a program dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of reading in children at an early age;

• Target House^®, which serves as a home away from home for families of children receiving life-saving treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^® in Memphis;

• Target Volunteers, a program where Target team members and retirees annually donate more than 350,000 hours of time to more than 7,500 community-based projects 

The Charlotte Children’s Choir, founded in 1986, is a broad-based community organization dedicated to choral excellence and providing unique educational and performance opportunities to boys and girls ages 8-18.  The mission of the Charlotte Children’s Choir is to promote the personal, intellectual, and social growth of young people from all backgrounds through high-quality, performance-based, choral music education programs.  The Choir serves to enrich the lives of children from all religious, ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds.  The Choir fosters the personal, intellectual and social growth of its members, promotes their sense of self-esteem, accomplishment, and pride, and strengthens citizenship while contributing lasting value to the community. 

The Choir’s membership consist of 230 children in six ensembles membership represents nine counties, two states and over 102 public and private schools.  The six ensembles begin with a preparatory choir and progress to senior choirs.  Advancement is based on musicianship and vocal development.  Children interested in participation in the Choir are required to audition.  for more information about the choir please visit our web-site at www.charlottechildrenschoir.org or call us at 704-374-1892.  The Charlotte Children’s Choir receives basic operating support from the Arts and Science Council of Charlotte. 

About Target
Minneapolis-based Target serves guests at more than 1,600 stores in 47 states nationwide by delivering today’s best retail trends at affordable prices. Target is committed to providing guests with great design through innovative products, in-store experiences and community partnerships. Whether visiting a Target store or shopping online at
Target.com, guests enjoy a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to thousands of unique and highly differentiated items. Target (NYSE:TGT) gives more than $3 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs. Since opening its first store in 1962, Target has partnered with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs.