Denton Record-Chronicle
NORTH TEXAS METROPLEX CHILDREN’S CHOIRS INC.
Contact information: 940-453-7424, annsmithntcc@me.com Website: ntchoirs.com; also ntcchoir.com, texasyouthchorale.com, www.facebook.com/ntchoirs Address: 2013 Cindy Lane, Denton 76207 Director: Ann Smith, founder and artistic director Mission statement: Sharing the language of the heart through musicianship, fellowship, relationship and leadership. Executive board members: Kay Anderson, Doug Mainous, David Martin, Jean Waters Overview of services: The North Texas Metroplex Children’s Choirs, Inc. is a non-profit organization that was formed to help children express their passion and joy for choral music, while developing the child not only as an extraordinary singer, but also as a leader in our schools and communities. Charity and good works are a constant focus of NTMCC, Inc. and with the children’s help, NTMCC, Inc. proudly donates to the Denton Christian Pre-School and many others. The North Texas Metroplex Children’s Choirs, Inc. is 501 c 3 non profit company comprised of three DFW area choirs: the North Texas Children’s Choir (made up of 250 children from 20 schools throughout the North Texas area with a yearly performance at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, TX), the Texas Youth Chorale (30 or fewer 9-15 year olds audition for this special treble choir and will be able to tour internationally/nationally, once a year each June), and the International Youth Choral Festival (an invitational Festival made up of two International choirs and two National choirs who perform at a Festival to be held every third year with a final performance at the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas). In coming together as ‘one voice,’ the children of NTMCC, Inc. learn team work, integrity and what it is to feel real accomplishment. The North Texas Metroplex Children’s Choirs, Inc. works to, through donations and fundraisers, provide scholarships to those North Texas Children’s Choir students pursuing a college music degree. Scholarships are also available for those members of NTCC wanting to attend a Texas Summer choir music camp.
September 29, 2013 History: The North Texas Metroplex Children’s Choirs, Inc. was formed in 2012, fulfilling a lifelong dream of Founder and Artistic Director, Ann Smith... It was Ann’s dream that first led to the formation of the North Texas Children’s Choir in 1995. The North Texas Children’s Choir was formed so that elementary aged children could have an enriching experience outside the traditional choral music classroom. And with 20 different schools and over 250 children singing annually at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, Ann’s dream for what the NTCC could be, came alive. Now, 18 years later, the choir has expanded to include not only NTCC (our anchor choir), but also the Texas Youth Chorale and the International Youth Choral Festival. The North Texas Metroplex Children’s Choirs, Inc. houses these three choirs, with each choir’s focus being one of fellowship, friendship and choral music. Success story: “I got to sing at the Meyerson!” was the happy exclamation of NTCC’s David Moon when asked of his experience at NTCC this past year. David went on to talk of making new friends as well how he felt braver by singing through the “butterflies in [his] stomach.” Keylan Johnson, when asked why he wanted to be a member of the Texas Youth Chorale, said that along with a love of music, he wants to “show people what [he is] made of.” Keylan and David are but two examples of NTMCC members. And each NTMCC member, has his or her own success story. Along with a love of music, each student takes away a renewed sense of self and a pride and strength based upon his or her accomplishments circling around a love of music and the arts. Our 18th Annual North Texas Children’s Choir Concert at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas is on January 25 at 2:00 p.m. You can purchase tickets at www.ntcchoir.com or call Ann Smith. Don’t miss it! The Texas Youth Chorale will also have several local concerts in November, March and June. Please visit texasyouthchorale.com or ntchoirs.com for more details/tickets. Also, don’t miss our first Annual Texas International Choral Festival in June of 2016! During four days of music, fellowship and fun, over 250 students will be staying at Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine while rehearsing and performing informal concerts daily. A final, formal concert will be performed at the
Meyerson in Dallas. Friend NTMCC on Facebook for updates on new choir concerts and fundraisers. Volunteer opportunities: E-mail Ann Smith at annsmithntcc@me.com to learn about event and administrative volunteer opportunities available with NTMCC, Inc. Donations needed: Any and all donations are appreciated. Those “angel investors” donating upwards of $10,000 will receive special recognition from NTMCC. How to donate: Online at http:// www.ntcchoir.com/donate. Mail any checks to NTMCC, Inc, 2013 Cindy Lane, Denton 76207
NORTH TEXAS STOCKINGS FOR SOLDIERS CAMPAIGN Contact information: 940-453-0511. bobby.travis60@gmail.com Website: North Texas Stockings for Soldiers Campaign on facebook is our main page Address: 211 Belmont Park Drive Ponder 76259 Director: Bobby Travis Mission statement: To add a smile to as many soldiers as possible. Executive board members: Jen Travis, Robbie lane, Joann Lane Overview of services: Christmas stockings full of goodies for our soldiers and former soldiers History: In 2011 we sent 660 stocking to a Army base in Kuwait. In 2012 we sent 1,016 stockings to a Marine base in Afghanistan. This year we are pleased to announce not only will we be sending stockings to a deployed military base but we are also going to be personally distributing stocking to inpatients at the Dallas VA hospital. Major fundraisers: Our collection process starts in late September and runs through the first of December. Volunteer opportunities: We are always grateful for any and all help. Donations needed: stockings, cookies, crackers, candy, puzzle books, tooth brushes and paste, sun screen, etc. How to donate: Contact Bobby Travis at 940-453-0511
OPERA ON TAP NORTH TEXAS Website: www.operaontap.org/ northtexas, www.facebook.com/ operaontap.dfw
Community Guide
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Address: 505 West Parkway, Denton 76201 Director: Jeffrey Snider Mission statement: Opera on Tap is a non-profit organization whose mission is to break down the stereotype that opera is a stuffy or elitist art form by bringing it to bars. Local singers let their hair down and bring you into what feels like an after hours back stage party, singing some of opera’s best known and little known pieces in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Executive board members: Kyle Hancock Overview of services: Performance of opera excerpts in bars, restaurants, and other non-traditional environments. History: The New York chapter began in 2006, and now boasts chapters around the country. Success story: The “Halloween” show at The Abbey Underground had a packed house! See a picture at http:// www.operaontap.org/picture/22795_ 10151096873982344_1963059988_n. jpg?pictureId=16693707 Volunteer opportunities: We are always looking for singers and people to help with the shows! Donations needed: We always appreciate money to help offer our expenses. How to donate: http://www.operaontap.org/donate
ORANGE OUT FOUNDATION Contact information: rbrown@ orangeout.org Website: www.orangeout.org Address: 12650 N. Beach St. Keller 76247 Director: Rhonda Brown Mission statement: Sharing our heart and vision by widening our family to those afflicted by childhood cancer. Executive board members: Marita Morrow, Kristy Slate, Marcey Martin, Eddie Brown, Anthony Slate and Marcie Yoder Overview of services: We have a hospital outreach where we take bags of food to the families each week. We are also a support team with prayer and emotional help. We also help financially with groceries, water bill, electric bill, partial rent or mortgage payments. History: We started in October 2011 after the president’s daughter went into remission after her second fight with leukemia.