First rehearsals on September 11th and 12th!
Don't forget the Parent Meeting on September 11th!
Why not invite a friend to try OCC with you?

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The OCC family just keeps on growing!

Dear Oregon Children's Choir,

As the school year begins and we all find our schedules, I reflect on my boys’ singing experiences as they were growing up: the first time they sang in a Christmas pageant without holding onto their blanket, children's programs at preschool, singing at a camp talent show, singing with the extended family around the campfire, singing along with the Weird Al cassette for the 50th time on a road trip... there are so many times that I profoundly remember music being the reason for gathering, feeling and creating something together. Life was simply made better by having music around...we still have the old Weird Al cassette in the car just for nostalgia.

When my boys got old enough to start with Oregon Children's Choir, I remember at first they started out shy and on my lap but they soon moved onto games, instruments, scarves, movement then it turned into singing together on the stage and you could even hear them! Next came the learning how to really sing, high notes that sailed miraculously out of their mouths and sweet songs that touched my heart and made me cry.

Then the middle school years hit and so did the voice change, there were tears saying they could not sing anymore and that there must be only about five good notes left in them...they persevered in choir, they never stopped singing and there were some awesome moments where they thought that maybe this singing thing could be a forever love of theirs, and the bonding experience between those middle school boys in those years was incredible and frankly a lifesaving tool. They never felt so safe, happy and proud as they did in that middle school OCC choir.

Then high school started, and they were on their way to becoming artists. Together with their friends from OCC ,they did camps, shows, rock bands, a cappella groups and showed their skills in their high school ensembles. They learned from their directors how to hone their craft and focus on respecting the music that was being made by all. I hardly remember a concert I left without shedding a tear.

Now they are becoming the teachers, directors and mentors that they so fondly remember. To all of our directors, I thank you for all you do, and for all the lives that you touch. Music creates a bond in our heart that will never die.

Where words fail, music speaks!

Dody Hansen

OCC Executive Music Director

Click Here to Register Now!

Click Here to Pay Tuition!

OCC Parent Meeting!
Sunday, September 11th @ 2pm
First United Methodist Church

All parents are strongly encouraged to attend this meeting, where we will:

~ Discuss trips and uniforms
~ Make plans for the coming year (concerts, schedules)
~ Sign up for volunteer opportunities (requirement of 2 tasks per year)

If you have questions about this meeting, you can contact oregonchildrenschoirinfo@gmail.com OR if you have questions about billing or registration, contact oregonchildrenschoirbilling@gmail.com

Seeking Volunteers!

Parents, we are always looking for volunteers to help in a wide variety of capacities, but this year we are specifically looking for these kinds of volunteers:

* grantwriters
* graphic design
* alumni coordinator
* fundraising/ solicitation
* website design/ maintenance

If you have skills in any of these areas, please let us know!
Just email oregonchildrenschoirinfo@gmail.com
Thanks so much!

We'll be posting many more volunteer opportunities on Signup Genius very soon, so stay tuned for more information!

HAND-ME-DOWNS!

If you have gently used choir shirts, black pants, black skirts, or other accessories (in good enough condition to pass along), please bring them to the parent meeting and/or the first rehearsal! We'll have a table set up where families can browse and take what they need. Second-hand items are good for the planet AND our pocketbooks! Thank you! (Also, if you can volunteer to manage this table, please let us know -- that would be a big help! We just need someone to help with sorting and displaying the donations, and then cleaning up what's left.)

Have you heard about the
Oregon Young Mens' Ensemble?

The Oregon Young Men's Ensemble was once a widely known and admired part of Oregon Children's Choir, and after several years of being on hiatus due to budget constraints, the choir is coming back! The ensemble will be led by Chris Dobson, who is a former member of YME and is now an award-winning choir director. He plans to retain the high level of musicianship and atmosphere of deep camaraderie the choir achieved in the past while aiming for the future with creative performances of challenging literature.
The best part is: any choristers registered with another OCC group can ADD this group for only $150!
Learn more at http://www.oregonyoungmensensemble.com/

Calling all high school female singers!
We're bringing back the Young Women's Ensemble!

The fabulous and delightful Megan Perdue, a former OCC chorister and an accomplished choral director, is excited to be directing this group, especially since she was once a part of it! This ensemble will perform more traditional choral repertoire and will focus particularly on the nuances of the female voice. If you are interested, please register on our website -- and invite a friend or two!
Did you know? Any choristers registered with another OCC group can ADD this group for only $150 for the whole year!

It's not too late to register for 2016-17!

Invite your friends!
Discounts for siblings!
Scholarships available!

Sibling discounts and scholarships are, as always, available. Our goal is to make our programs accessible to as many children as possible!

NOTE: JAS Girls is at its 40 chorister cap and is accepting girls on a waitlist. Those who were in choir last year but didn’t register yet must get director approval. If you are interested, please register and we will contact you when there is an opening. Also, Prelude is quickly reaching their cap of 25 choristers. When they reach their cap, we will start a waitlist and, possibly, begin a second class.

Choir is even MORE fun with friends! Be sure to tell yours to join!
(They are welcome to observe the first rehearsal of the year!)

You can register here and even pay online here!

First Day of Rehearsals is Coming Soon!
September 11th/ 12th

PARENTS: Please plan to attend our mandatory Parent Meeting!

CHORISTERS: Your directors are looking forward to seeing you!

Here is the schedule/ location for each choir:

Prelude (K-1): Monday 4:30-5:30 in room 19
JAS Boys (Gr. 2-5): Monday 4:30-5:30 in room 11-12
JAS Girls (Gr. 2-5): Monday 4:30-5:30 in room 16
Girlchoir (Gr. 6-9): Monday 4:15-6:15 in Basement/Office
Boychoir (Gr. 6-9): Monday 5:15-7:15 in the Youth Center
Young Men's Ensemble (Gr. 9-12): Monday 6:45-8:45 in the Youth Center
Young Women's Ensemble (Gr. 9-12): Monday 6:45-8:45 in Basement/Office
Noteworthy (Gr. 6-9): Thursdays 4:30-5:30 in room 16
Outburst (Gr. 9-12): Sunday 4:30-6:30 in room 8 (subject to change)
Synergy (Gr. 9-12): Sunday 2:00-4:00 in room 11-12
Sforzando (Gr. 9-12): Sunday 4:00-5:00 in room 11-12
Some Cool Guys (Gr. 9-12): Sunday 2:00-4:00 in room 19
Intermediate Mixed A Cappella (Gr. 9-12): Sunday 1:30-3:30 (location TBA)

NOTE: OCC strives to make all singers feel welcome and comfortable, regardless of where they fall on the gender spectrum. We use gender-based names for our choirs mostly to distinguish between higher and lower voices, and we are happy to answer any questions you have about placement in one of our choirs!

Mark Your Calendar!

We've already set the dates for our biggest concerts! (Each choir may have additional performances throughout the year, but each of these concerts will feature all of our choirs.)

Fall Preview Concert
October 15, 2016 at 1:00pm
First United Methodist Church

Winter Concert
December 3, 2016 at 1:00pm
First United Methodist Church

Benefit Concert
March 5, 2017 at 1:00pm
South Eugene High School

Spring Concert
(Date TBA)
Springfield High School

Director Spotlight!

Get to know Josh Lenhardt!

Josh Lenhardt began singing in high school, starting with Concert and Jazz Choir (The Topnotchers of Willamette High School), then graduated and sang with the University of Oregon concert Choir, Gospel Choir, and Gospel Singers - and ended up singing with On The Rocks from 2006-2009 where he gained the majority of his a cappella experience and knowledge. He has also sang in shows at the Hult Center through the Shedd, adjudicated ICCAs (International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella), and been a clinician at several a cappella festivals throughout Oregon. With his enthusiasm, energy, and attention to musicality and performance, Josh has made Some Cool Guys a sought after group to be in.

What's your favorite past time?
Spending time with my wife and kids, Floating the McKenzie River, playing video games, and watching tv

What was one of your favorite songs as a teen?
Journey - Separate Ways

Favorite Restaurant?
Previously Lucky Noodle - since they have gone out of business - Beppe and Giannis

Who is one of your favorite singers?
Peter Hollens

How did you get interested in music and choir?
Two of my best friends in high school encouraged me to audition for Concert Choir - Josh Reiswig and Whitney Bernard. Once I auditioned, Mr. McCornack was the director at Willamette High School and is the biggest reason I fell in love with music and continue to have music involved in my life.

Who is your favorite composer?
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

What would be the greatest performance of your life?
Performing on a live stage with Pentatonix and Peter Hollens together :)

What is one of your favorite moments with OCC?
Every day is incredible getting to work with the kids - but I would say if I had to pick a singular moment it would be a tie, both being at competition last year at ICHSA's. First was during the warm up periods - my kids had the gym area (the largest area) and decided to go out and tell other groups when they were done warming up they could join us in the gym to hang out together. They started a circle song, and it grew from our two groups, all the way until I believe every single group was a part of the circle - well over 150 kids singing together and uniting in music before they all went head to head at a competition. It was incredible to see the kids be so open and welcoming to the other groups that were there and bring that community of kids from all over together. The second is after the competition - our kids didn't place but were all proud of each other. Some Cool Guys and Synergy, some smiling, some crying, all circled together and sang "Coming Home". It is our joint song for the groups and we didn't prompt or encourage anything - they did it all on their own. They all hugged, and cried as my wife and I stood back and watched the bond we had helped create among all the kids there. It was... amazing.

Any closing thoughts?
I am very grateful for the opportunity to work for OCC and with these kids each week. It is a huge part of my life and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Oregon Children's Choir is growing!
We need your help!

We are so delighted by the growth that our organization has seen over the past few years, and we are eager to welcome many new students into our fabulous choirs! As we stretch a little in order to accommodate this growth, we need some financial support from our community in order to launch new programs and expand existing programs. We want to be sure that we can offer a high-quality, comprehensive choral program for all of the youth in our community! Here's how you can help:

1. Make a donation. Whether it's big or small, it will help us to reach our fundraising goals! Just click here to make a donation!
2. Seek business sponsorships. We need help soliciting local businesses to sponsor our choirs!
3. Invite your friends. Whether they join a choir, attend a concert, or make a donation, telling your friends about OCC helps tremendously!

Thank you so much! We're thrilled about our future, and we're glad that you're a part of it!

Big News!

Our website has a new look! Check it out and tell your friends!

We've tried to make all of the information you need easy to find. Please share it with your friends on social media! We still have room in many of our choirs!