Members of the Mariposa Children’s Chorus are, front from left, Charlotte Shanks, Haizley Golden, Jacob Coan, Asa Coan and Evan Cornec; middle, Maegan McNally, Ellie Greniger, Charlee McClure and Adelaide Mingle; back, director Gail Vanderslik, volunteers Sherry Mitchell, Janet Burnside, Bill Tucker and Debbie Tucker. Not pictured is Gus Clark.
It’s time once again for people to sign up for the Mariposa Children’s Choir.
In its fifth year, the choir introduces young people the singing and music.
The children’s group is under the wings of the Mariposa Community Choir, which has been entertaining local audiences for more than 40 years.
No auditions are required for the children’s choir.
“All it takes is a love for music and singing,” said Gail Vanderslik, the director of the community choir and leader of the children’s group.
The choir will meet weekly on Tuesdays starting on Aug. 11 at the Methodist Church in Mariposa. Classes will be from 3:15-5 p.m.
Vanderslik and her volunteer assistants stress they will be providing a safe environment for the children, with the focus being on music. Healthy snacks will be served. She said Pioneer Market is donating the snacks and accessories for the children.
The choir experience will include vocal exercises, warm-ups, rounds, learning harmony, kazoos for better breathing and pitch along with learning simple songs and movement. They will be choreographing one piece to be performed at the annual Christmas concert.
“Singing in a choir is a forum for sharing, laughter and fun,” said Vanderslik. “And it provides a safe environment to try new skills.
She also said that singing has added benefits, including helping with memory, it helps with general learning abilities and singing songs from other countries helps raise international awareness.
The children’s choir would not be possible without the help of many sponsors, she said.
Those include the Mariposa Lions Club, Janet Burnside, the Rotary Club of Mariposa Yosemite, Nicole W. Little, State Farm Insurance, Creekside Nursery, Tom Ritter, Mariposa Shipping, China Station, Foster Ace Hardware, High Country Health Foods, Fremont House, Chuck Kendall, Steve’s Sportsmans Cafe, Century 21, United Methodist Church, Happy Burger, Langley Company and Pioneer Market.
Vanderslik said she has recruited a “board of dedicated musicians” to help with the program.
“Each person has a multitude of gifts in the music world,” she said. “They have so much to offer.”
To register, send a text message to Vanderslik at 661-496-3701. Anyone interested in donating can do the same.
She said all questions about costs, times and more will be answered. There is also a Mariposa Children’s Choir Facebook page.
“I love my role so much directing the adults of the Mariposa Community Choir,” said Vanderslik. “I have had a blast with the children these last four years and look forward to year five — and raising future musicians.”
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