CAS Youth Chorus to Debut Compositions by Cohen and Feinsinger at 9th Annual Spring Concert; New Harmony in Harlem Jazz Band to

May 19, 2006

Contact:
Ellen Lubell, The Children’s Aid Society, (w) 212-949-4938, (c) 917-854-6864
Emily Crossan, The Children’s Aid Society, (w) 917-286-1548, (c) 201-344-5742

350 children in grades K-12 to come together in song, as well as the CAS Adult Chorus

When:
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
7:30 p.m.

Where:
The Society for Ethical Culture
2 West 64th Street at Central Park West

What:
Three-hundred and fifty children from Children’s Aid Society (CAS) locations across New York City will raise their voices in song at the CAS Youth Chorus’ annual spring concert. The Children’s Aid Society Chorus provides both structure and a creative outlet for choristers ages 5–18 from CAS community schools and centers, many located in Washington Heights, Harlem and the Bronx.

The Chorus will premiere two new works created by CAS Chorus Composition Grant Recipients Gerald Cohen (“Lo, Body and Soul/This Land”) and Mary Feinsinger (“Nada te turbe”).

Six middle and high school members of the new Harmony in Harlem jazz band will perform two songs, “Little Sunflower” by Freddie Hubbard and “Blue March” by Bennie Golson. Harmony in Harlem, a partnership between The Children’s Aid Society and The Jazz Museum in Harlem, is dedicated to the performance of music written by great Harlem composers.

The evening will culminate in a grand finale, with participation by all of the children’s choruses and the adult chorus.

There is a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12, available only at the door. Seating is general admission. All proceeds benefit the CAS Chorus Scholarship Fund. The Fund allows choristers to participate in long-distance trips regardless of their family’s financial situation. For ticket information, call 212-533-1675.

Who:
The Children’s Aid Society Chorus consists of fourteen local ensembles. The CAS Chorus seeks to foster the personal, musical and social growth of its choristers. Over the years the Chorus has performed at Gracie Mansion, the Morgan Library and the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, as well as on such television programs as NBC’s Today Show, Good Day New York on FOX and the CBS Early Show. No formal voice training or musical experience is required to join the Chorus.

The Children’s Aid Society (CAS) was founded in 1853. It is one of the nation’s largest and most innovative non-sectarian agencies, serving more than 150,000 of New York’s neediest children and their families with a network of services that includes community schools, neighborhood centers, camps, adoption and foster care services, teen pregnancy prevention, education, health and recreation. CAS offers a wide range of programs in the visual and performing arts, including instrumental bands, award-winning choruses, theater, photography, harman: how to listen, the American Ballet Theater’s “Make a Ballet” and CAS/AileyCamp.