Young Naperville Singers names executive director
After a search spanning years, Young Naperville Singers has selected Matthew Chicola as the 380-member choral organization's first executive director.
Chicola says he believes in the power of voice; whether it is seen as a privilege, a burden, or a gift, YNS and Chicola have been granted a unique opportunity to share their voice with others.
Having worked in nonprofit philanthropy for nearly a decade at organizations like Loaves and Fishes Community Services and Chicago House and Social Service Agency, Chicola found his own voice through community building and strategic implementation.
With an advanced degree in English studies from Elmhurst College, Chicola understands the complexities that lie in communication patterns, and he will share his insight with YNS to help the voice of the organization expand, board members said. In partnership with the board, staff, and community, Chicola will lead the implementation of a strategic plan to improve the infrastructure, capacity and sustainability of YNS toward the shared vision of benefiting more young lives.
Artistic Director Angie Johnson is looking forward to beginning a new phase of growth for YNS.
"We are beyond excited to bring Matt Chicola on the YNS team. We have been growing as an organization musically and numerically, but our dreams are out ahead of our resources," she said. "Matt brings some much-needed direction, new ideas and insight to chart a course for YNS to enter the next era of growth."
The organization will have a community open house to welcome Chicola and celebrate retiring staff from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, at the Naperville Community Concert Center, 55 Concert Lane, Naperville. The public is invited to meet Chicola and learn more about the organization.
About to enter its 35th year, Young Naperville Singers is a community-based children's choral music program based in Naperville. Currently, YNS has nine ability-based choirs, with members ranging in age from 6 to 18. The newest choir, Brio, was launched in the fall of 2017 to accommodate a growing number of young boy singers. YNS now has three ability-based choirs exclusively for boys and young men. A 10th choir for young women will begin this fall.
Three choirs - Bella Voce, Canto Vivo and Cantabile - have toured. Cantabile Singers, under the direction of Anne Kasprzak, has participated in the Queen City Children's Choir Festival in Cincinnati several times. The young men's chorus, Canto Vivo, has traveled to Oregon with director Brett Goad to participate in the Pacific International Choral Festival. Bella Voce, the premier women's ensemble, under Johnson's direction, has traveled internationally to Ireland and most recently to Austria and Slovakia in the summer of 2017. Bella Voce performed in Naperville's sister city of Nitra, Slovakia, in a concert attended by the U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia Adam Sterling.
All of the YNS choirs focus on the social-emotional development of young people, using music as a vehicle to reach the hearts of children. The singers of YNS learn to use music as outreach, to touch the hearts of all who hear them sing. A curricular effort is made in the choirs to develop leadership skills in the singers.
With Chicola as executive director, YNS aims to reach new heights of social, emotional and musical accomplishment.
"The entire board of directors and staff are excited to be working alongside Matt," YNS president Neveen Michael said. "The passion and expertise that he brings to YNS is instrumental and, as we embark into our 35th season, we know that Matt's leadership will be an imperative part of our future growth and success."
Support for YNS is provided in part by grants from the Illinois Arts Council and the city of Naperville Special Events and Cultural Amenities funds.
For information, visit youngnapervillesingers.org.