Just three years ago, the halls of area middle and high schools were silent after all previous choral music programs became dormant.
Today, choir classes are not only back but have achieved elective status at Dana and Correia middle schools along with Point Loma High School.
Teacher Ina Soliz, who began Correia’s group several years ago, now splits time to oversee the choirs there and at PLHS. Lauragrace Havens is the choirmaster at Dana.
The voices of all three schools will unite for the third annual Point Loma Cluster Choral Concert on April 28 at Correia Middle School, 4302 Valeta St. The entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m.
Each school’s choral group will perform separately and the program will conclude with a grand finale featuring 90 youthful voices from the three schools.
Because the choir programs are unfunded, financial support remains a priority. A raffle and bake sale will be held to generate a sustaining budget.
Also, community members wishing to donate to the choral music movement can do so at plhsalumni.org/PLHSChoirDonate2.htm.
The choir revival began several years ago when community activist Kerri De Rosier noticed the absence of vocal music in area schools and made it a priority to see it return. She is thrilled to once again hear the joyful voices of local students.
“These programs exist because kids love to sing,” de Rosier said, “and because community members, teachers and parents are making it happen.”
In the early days of its revival, De Rosier and friend Pamila Whitney conducted the Point Loma High choir as an after-school club. But De Rosier knew the programs at area schools would not grow unless they were offered as elective courses to all students during the school day.
Also, de Rosier realized the importance of offering choir at early grades as students selected paths they wished to follow through high school.
De Rosier credits area principals with giving elective status to vocal music.
“I am thankful to Scott Irwin (Dana), Jonathan McDade (Correia) and Hans Becker (PLHS) for giving choir a chance,” she said.
