By Gabriel Pilonieta-Blanco
El Tiempo Hispano
Currently, 140 young people from different cultural and social strata make up the four groups of the Wilmington Children’s Chorus directed by Kim and Phil Doucette, a couple in love with music that give their best to educate these young voices.
On the afternoon of August 14th we talked with Michael and Abel López in the company of their parents Abel and Vilma (the latter serves as vice chairwoman of the Chorus’s ladies group) and chatted pleasantly about this interesting group that has already celebrated its first 10 years. The youngest of the brothers, 12-years-old Abel, seemingly more extroverted, begins by saying that “for me to be part of the choir is a very good experience, I have met many new people and different cultures, because we sing in various languages such as Italian, German or Arabic.” In other words, it’s fun.
Meanwhile Michael, of 14 years of age, has been part of the Chorus for three years and is now part of the so-called Young Men’s Ensemble. He tells us that for him, music is very important in his life and “joining the choir has helped me make better sense of my life, I have made friends and had wonderful experiences such as singing the national anthem at the opening game of the Phillies, of which my brother is a true fan. That day I felt really good,” he comments with a big smile.
Ms. Vilma explains that this group is not for profit and the volunteers dedicate themselves to raise funds for young people to have their uniforms up-to-date and collaborating in any needed task. “This is a beautiful experience, there is much diversity: white, black, Hispanics, Asians, etc. They are about 140 and they come from everywhere. Here they learn different skills, good behavior, they are exposed to different cultures and new experiences like singing for President Obama or Vice President Joe Biden for example, or sharing with groups from other countries, as it happened a week ago when the Chorus from Kammerorchester of Fulda Jugend (Youth Chamber Orchestra of Fulda, Germany) was in Wilmington, and this is the kind of experiences they will remember all their life, it has been wonderful,” she concludes.
It’s good that Hispanic families know that this project provides free access to all children regardless of their economic status, racial or ethnic origin, what matters is the love for music and the desire to improve in choral singing, acting and musical knowledge.
For low-income families where the children have dreams of singing, the opportunity…
Finish reading The Wilmington, Delaware Children’s Chorus looking for more young Hispanics to join their ranks
