About Us
Mission
The Evergreen Children’s Chorale is a non-profit mountain community organization providing musical performance opportunities for youth.
Organization
Two groups make up the ECC organization. The older group, Evergreen Children’s Chorale, is comprised of 60 children in 4th through 8th grades and our younger group, Prelude, is comprised of 40 children in 2nd through 4th grades. Children entering 4th grade can try out for either group.
Auditions are held twice a year (late spring and early fall) and our membership year covers a full performance season (August through May). All Children are welcome to audition and become involved regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, sexual preference, affiliation, limitations or challenges.
In addition, an integral part of the ECC and Prelude’s performance experiences are their collaborative endeavors with other non-profit and for-profit organizations. In the past, the ECC has performed on-stage with the Evergreen Chorale and Evergreen Chamber Orchestra and they regularly perform for special events throughout the community such as at the Evergreen Arts Councils’ Winterfest and Summerfest. The ECC has also performed for the Arvada Economic Council, Evergreen Kiwanis, Evergreen Academy, Great Chili Cook-Off and the Shrine Circus.
In 2006, the ECC performed at a benefit concert for Platte Canyon High School students affected by the tragedy in November, 2006. In May, 2006, the ECC was selected as the official children’s chorale for the national tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Denver Center for Performing Arts. They also periodically perform at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in the lobby before and during intermission for The Nutcracker.
In June 2009, the Evergreen Children’s Chorale was invited by Music Celebrations International to travel to Austria for the 2009 Haydn International Youth Choral Festival. 22 members and alumni joined with other youth choruses from around the world to sing in world-famous concert halls and performance venues.
History
The Evergreen Children’s Chorale was formed in January, 1991, upon the successful completion of an SCFD (Scientific and Cultural Facilities District) grant written by Jenise Harper. Jenise and others from the community recognized a need in the mountain area for a high-quality music performance ensemble specifically designed for children.
The ECC’s first director was Linda Biery and the first choreographer was Peggy Fetchenhier. Marcia Henderson served as the ECC’s first Business Manager. In 1995, Elaine Sohrweid, a retired music teacher in Jefferson County, assumed the role as Director and Lindy Casados, Assistant Director, joined the staff in 1997. Pat Selby, the ECC’s Choreographer came on board in 1994 and Jeanne Schubert, the Principal Accompanist, became part of the ECC team 1997. Lynn Nestingen, ECC’s current Business Manager, was hired in 2006. Other staff who have worked with the Chorale over the years have included Joanne Miller, B.J. Gerhard, and Sheri McMulin.
The ECC’s premier concert in June, 1991, was titled, Kids Take Center Stage. From that point on it has performed many other great musical classics such as Pirates of Penzance, Annie, Once Upon a Mattress, Wizard of Oz, Mulan Jr., Beauty and the Beast and numerous other successful productions.
The developmental group, Prelude, was formed in September, 1997, as a smaller ensemble designed to prepare young voices for the rigorous demands and expectations of ECC. Molly Malone, the choral music teacher at West Jeff Middle School, assumed the role as director in 1997 and Lisa Cole joined the staff as Assistant Director in 2006. Karen Bettinger joined Prelude as its Business Manager in 2008 and Stacey Sparks assumed her position as Principal Accompanist in 2008.
Staff
Elaine Sohrweid - Director. Elaine has been Artistic Director of the Evergreen Children's Chorale since 1995. Elaine started her directing career in high school when she was the student conductor of the marching band and orchestra. She is retired from teaching music in the Jeffco Schools and is very active in the Evergreen area artistic community and can often be seen performing with the Evergreen Chorale. She has been named Who's Who in America's Colleges and Universities, one of Colorado's Outstanding Women in 2002, one of Jefferson County's Outstanding Teachers, and has been the recipient of the D. A. R.'s award for Excellence in Community Service.
Pat Selby - Choreographer. Pat was born in Kentucky and she completed dance training in Chicago with Edna McRae and Frances Allis. She went on to teach dance at the Lou Conte Dance Studio home of the Hubbard St. Dance. She has been with the Children’s Chorale since 1994.
Lindy Casados - Assistant Director. Lindy has been with the Evergreen Children's Chorale since 1997. She began teaching music in the public schools in 1993 after graduating from The University on Northern Colorado. She went on to earn her Master's degree from Colorado Christian University. Lindy has been a part of the Evergreen community and the theater groups here since she was only a year old.
Jeanne Schubert - Accompanist. Jeanne has been auditioning, rehearsing, and performing with the children of ECC since 1997. Jeanne earned her degree in piano performance from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., and then earned her graduate degree from the University of Minnesota. She taught at both elementary and junior high schools in Hopkins, MN. In addition to bringing music to ECC, Jeanne is the organist at Evergreen Lutheran Church and teaches private piano lessons.
Shelley Bland - Assistant Accompanist. Shelley is currently a stay-at-home mom and proud mother of 3 very energetic children. She works part time as the choir accompanist for West Bowles Community Church and teaches violin and piano lessons. Shelley has been with the ECC since 2008.
Lynn Nestingen - Business Manager. Lynn has been with the Evergreen Children’s Chorale as Manager since 2005. Prior to her current role, she served as Business Manager of the Evergreen Chorale for 7 years. Lynn has a BFA in Music Therapy from UW-Milwaukee and Ph.D. in Public Administration from the University of Colorado. Lynn and Philip have lived in Evergreen since 1996 where they are blessed to raise their three children - Erik, Kahri, and Rebekah.
Lisa Cole – Director, Prelude. Lisa began her musical career at 18 performing in musical theater and traveling the country with show bands. She currently performs with her husband, Bruce, as The Promise Band, singing, playing keyboards and saxophone. Lisa holds a BA in Music and Speech Communication from Metro State College of Denver. She received her license to teach through the alternative licensure program at Colorado Academy. Lisa currently teaches general music at Platte River Academy in Douglas County, in addition to some private lessons. She is multi–instrumental, loves to dance, sing and act. Lisa is a Colorado native. Two of her three children have been involved with ECC and Lisa is thrilled to be a part of ECC as director of Prelude.
Mandy Marino - Assistant Director, Prelude. Mandy Marino was born and raised in Iowa, and after graduating high school, traveled all over the United States trying to find out where she wanted to live. She chose to attend college at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California, graduating with a BA in Music Education. Her love of jazz then took her to New Orleans, where she lived, sang, and taught music for four years. During this time, she spent two weeks in an intensive Orff-Schulwerk training program at Memphis State University, earning her Level 1 certification. Her desire to get "back to nature" took her to Vail, Co, where she taught Vocal and Lower School General Music for five years at Vail Mountain School. She met her husband Mark in Vail, and they moved to Evergreen in July of 2009. She now teaches music and assists in the primary classroom at Montessori of Evergreen, acts as music minister for Church of the Apostles, and is so excited be Assistant Director for Prelude to Evergreen Children's Chorale!
Susan Eby – Accompanist, Prelude. Sue Eby is the new accompanist for Prelude. Sue and her husband moved from the Washington, DC area in January and live in Indian Hills. They have two college age sons in TX and CA. Sue grew up in Michigan and studied piano and organ at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. She has a BA in Psychology and a Masters of Theological Studies. While in the Washington, DC area, Sue accompanied a high school choir and did some piano teaching. This fall she will be accompanying the Elk Creek Elementary Choir in addition to playing for Prelude, teaching piano lessons, and working half-time for the Seniors’ Resource Center.
Karen Bettinger - Business Manager, Prelude. Karen has been with the Prelude to Evergreen Children’s Chorale as Manager since 2007. Karen has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology from Western State, but over the last 14 years was a business owner and does marketing and business development for numerous local companies. Karen and Tom have lived in Evergreen since 2001 along with their two children, Ashley and Tyler.
Board of Directors
- Kirsten Marter, President
- Linda Weidner, Vice President
- Helen Jones, Secretary
- Jenny Foster, Treasurer
- Wendy Silver/Bob Charles, Director
- Katie Romero, Director
- RuthAnn Christensen, Director
Prelude to ECC
Prelude is a developmental group for children in 2nd - 4th grades. They perform a concert in the fall at Evergreen Lutheran Church and a musical show in spring at Evergreen Elks Lodge. Auditions are held yearly in August.
Tax deductible contributions to the Evergreen Children's Chorale and to Prelude
may be sent to PO Box 3904; Evergreen, CO 80437.
Evergreen Children’s Chorale and Prelude are grateful for the funding provided in part by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. Other sources of revenue include membership dues, fundraising activities, and patron contributions. Email us to find out how you can make a tax deductible contribution to the ECC.
Sponsors
The Evergreen Children’s Chorale extends its heartfelt thanks and appreciation to its many individual, government, corporate, and foundation contributors. Through their generous support, the ECC is able to keep dues at an affordable level, maintain family–friendly ticket prices, and offer reduced-to-no fee membership dues to those who may not otherwise be able to participate. We wish to thank the following foundation and corporate contributors:
♪♪♪♪ ($2,500+)
Scientific and Cultural Facilities District
Team Evergreen Bicycle Club
♪♪♪ ($500-$2,499)
Hyman & Susan Feldman Family Foundation
Blue Spruce Kiwanis
Evergreen Kiwanis
Walmart
Thanks to our Other Supporters:
Evergreen Lutheran Church
Evergreen Chorale
Storage Place
Scholarship
Each year the Evergreen Children’s Chorale is pleased to offer a $1,000 scholarship to an ECC or Prelude alumnus of ECC. Eligibility for this scholarship includes the following:
- Must be an ECC or Prelude Alumnus
- Must be a graduating high school student or equivalent.
- Must have plans for full-time higher education the following summer or fall semester.
- Must be able to provide a class schedule or registration prior to receiving scholarship funds.
To apply, candidates should submit a completed application (obtained by contacting the ECC), a current resume outlining extracurricular activities, community involvement, and performance experiences, two letters of recommendation, an official set of transcripts, and a 600 word (max) essay as outlined on the application form.
The application deadline is late winter each year (late February-early March). Interested applicants should look for the latest notices and updates in local newspapers and through high school guidance counselors and music teachers.
The winning recipient is awarded the scholarship during the final Saturday performance of the ECC’s spring show.