Children's chorus to sing newly composed work
When Paul Bouman gives his stamp of approval to the Fox Valley Children's Chorus, it comes with a lifetime of education, study and experience - and on this occasion, three newly composed choral pieces based on the poems of Robert Louis Stevenson.
The Oak Park resident, who is in his nineties, has been retired from teaching since 1983. Before his work as a teacher he received a bachelor's degree from Concordia University in Chorus and a master's degree from Northwestern University in Organ and Theory. He has traveled the world to learn from children's chorus directors whom he admired.
In turn he has imparted the knowledge he earned as a church choir director, children's educator and textbook contributor by giving workshops on the subject.
It was at such a symposium that Bouman became acquainted with Daniele Bruhn of Batavia.
Bruhn was so inspired by the workshop that in 2006, she went on to found the Fox Valley Children's Chorus, which is centered in Batavia, where she also serves as musical director.
"There wasn't a serious children's chorus in our immediate area," Bruhn said. "The closest ones are in Elgin and Glen Ellyn. So I thought this was an artistic area in the Fox Valley that wasn't being addressed and I'd like to do that."
"We meet in Batavia, but we draw from seven different communities in the Fox Valley," she added.
When Bouman heard the 49-child chorus recently, he was pleased with its accomplishments and offered to add another trilogy to the two he had written for another chorus based on Robert Louis Stevenson's "Garden of Verse."
"He used 'The Lamp Lighter,' 'The Whole Duty of Children' and 'Marching,'" Bruhn said.
"We're very excited to be presenting those."
Along with the new trilogy of pieces, the Fox Valley Children's Choir will perform other musical pieces of American origin, which is a change for the chorus.
"I'm really committed to presenting solid literature from various cultures," said Bruhn. "Often the children present programs based on several different languages.
"This time it's all based on American music. We're doing some folk songs, some spirituals, at least one hymn, and a cowboy song. It's sort of a patchwork quilt of American music."
The chorus performs two shows a year: a winter, holiday show and the spring show which takes different forms.
"It has to be well crafted music and it needs to have a really good text.
"They rise to the occasion of giving them challenging music to learn. It's not easy music."
Bruhn believes that her chorus, which ranges from third grade to age 15, enjoys benefits aside from those associated with performance.
"I think that working with the arts makes us better human beings. It causes us to appreciate other cultures. It allows children to express themselves in a way that's different than sports do.
"I'm not bashing sports. I think it's all-important to the shaping of a child, but it is important that they have opportunities to express themselves artistically.
"I think, sometimes, art and music are thought of as recreational," Bruhn said. "It's not always taken as seriously as math or reading or science. I think if the arts are taken seriously it gives the children a chance to shine and it gives the children a chance to do something well and beautifully."
Bouman agrees.
"You're contributing to their memories as they develop pride in what they do," he said.
"I think Daniele is a treasure in the Fox Valley and I hope many parents send their kids to her," he added.
The Fox Valley Children's ChorusBatavia: Paige Ashby, Marliese Balek, Emma Foelske, Alexa Garcia, Rachael Granger, Abigail Gustavson, Conall Haldeman, Joslyn Haldeman, Mallory Haldeman, Lindsay Holwerda, Luke Holwerda, Bianca Johnston, Kaylee Kavanaugh, Daphne Kolody, Emily Kolody, Jack MacDonald, Krissy MacDonald, Andy Marchiori, Anna Masini, Rachel Nelson, Charlotte Pin, Katie Saponara, Nicole Saponara, Abby Skirmont, Matthew Skirmont, Lucy Swenson, Olivia Swenson, Anders Thomassen, Parker Thomassen, Gabrielle Thomson, Xander Thomson, Madelyn Wardynski, Susanne WilliamsElburn: Olivia Hazen,Geneva: Shelby Bowman, Mackenzie DeFoney, Lauren Fortino, Ashley King, Jayne King, Paulina Kulyavtsev, Nathaniel Shank, Sara Temple, Giovanna VilchisMontgomery: Tyler Fata,St. Charles: Ali Lichner, Lindsay O'Driscoll, Zoe Steele,Sugar Grove: Catalina Lopez, Julianna Lopez, <p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p><p class="News"><b>What:</b> The Fox Valley Children's Chorus spring concert, featuring new work by composer Paul Bouman</p><p class="News"><b>When:</b> 2 p.m. Sunday, April 25</p><p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Fox Valley Presbyterian Church, 227 East Side Drive, Geneva</p><p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> $8 in advance and $10 at the door. </p><p class="News"><b>Info:</b> Call (630) 879-3235 or visit <a href="http://fvchildrenschorus.org" target="new">fvchildrenschorus.org</a>.</p>