The Community Music School at Southwestern College is now accepting students for the JourneyKids Choir, a choral opportunity for all students in Grades 2-7 in Winfield and the surrounding communities.

The group, now entering its second year, is made up of over twenty area students from Winfield, Arkansas City, Parkerfield, Oxford, Udall, and Burden.

“Students are encouraged to come for a fun-filled, group learning atmosphere, focused on musical exploration,” says Dylan Moore, director of the Community Music School.  “The group allows students the ability to sing out of specific repertoire from the elementary choral genre, which is not highly covered in the public schools.”

A focal point of the group will be the development of community, providing an open and encouraging atmosphere for student bonding and comradery.

The JourneyKids Choir has recently performed at First Presbyterian Church in Winfield and First United Methodist Church in Arkansas City.

All experience levels are welcome, but an audition for voice placement, musical ability, and level of knowledge will be expected. This semester students will have the opportunity to perform for the community, as well as be a part of the annual Winterfest Concert at Southwestern College. Through this opportunity, students will be able to sing with collegiate students and adults in the community, collaborating with the Southwestern College Choirs and the Southwestern College Choral Union.

The group is directed by Nikki Kirk, a Pre-K-5th grade music educator at Jefferson Elementary and C-4 Elementary in Arkansas City.  Kirk also serves as the director of music at the First Presbyterian Church of Winfield. She is in her tenth year of teaching and has taught general music, band, and choir in the public schools of Kansas, in her home state of West Virginia, and served as an instructor at Coffeyville Community College. In addition, the group is accompanied by Winfield pianist, Sara Weinert.

“The JourneyKids Choir is a unique group,” says Kirk.  “Students in the surrounding areas bond, create an elite musical ensemble, and have fun doing it.  I am excited to begin making music with this new group in its new year.”

Rehearsals take place in Darbeth Rehearsal Hall on the Southwestern College Campus on Thursday evenings from 5:30-6:30 p.m., starting Thursday, Sept. 15. The fee per semester for involvement in the group is $10 a month with a total cost of $40 per student. Partial need-based tuition scholarships are available. Voice placement hearings are on Thursday, Sept. 8, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. All newly interested students are asked to schedule a voice placement hearing to get to know Kirk prior to the start of rehearsals. For more information or to schedule a voice placement, call Dylan Moore, at (620) 229-6188 or email cms@sckans.edu.