County students to participate in children’s choir

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A Seymour Middle School eighth-grader is excited the holiday season has arrived for many reasons.

One in particular, however, is the fact that she has been given the opportunity to sing with the Indianapolis Children’s Choir for the fifth time.

“I think that performing in the choir is a fun and exciting opportunity,” Emma Nowling said. “I think it’s a wonderful organization and more children should participate.”

Nowling will be joined by three other students from Jackson County in participating in the choir’s 32nd season.

The three are Isabel Lubia, a sixth-grade student at Sandy Creek Christian Academy, freshman Marci Lichtley and first-grader Lafe Bowers. Lichtley and Bowers both are part of local homeschooling organizations.

Nowling said she hopes to continue participation in the program in the future, and she benefited from the program more than just becoming a better vocalist.

“I get to learn about music, culture and so much more,” she said, adding the students learn multiple languages through the choir.

“We even get to learn different languages like Hebrew, German, French and many more.”

Nowling said she’s also enjoyed the opportunity to make new friends through the choir.

Her parents, Rick and Paula, said her participation has inspired their daughter to take up piano and has made an impact on her.

“Being a part of the choir has been a wonderful opportunity for Emma,” Paula said. “She has become more responsible and outgoing. She’s learned a great deal about music from countries all over the world.”

Paula said her daughter is a gifted vocalist and has benefited from her instructors Ruth Dwyer and Keith Stam.

“I think Emma’s just a natural, but has had wonderful instructors,” she said, adding her daughter commits a lot of time to practice. “She’s also very dedicated and practices diligently.”

The commitment to the choir is a lot, too. Practices to go over the music are held every Monday. As the concerts draw closer, students have dress rehearsals leading up to the event so they know what to expect.

Joshua Pedde, director of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, said the choir holds concerts all over the state, and the Jackson County students will participate in shows in Columbus and Indianapolis.

The Columbus show, Winter’s Glow, is at 7 p.m. today at Westside Community Church, 124 Tipton Lakes Blvd., Columbus.

The four shows in Indianapolis will be Dec. 16 and 17.

“They’re going to hear great holiday music and holiday favorites,” he said.

Pedde said students are selected to participate based off of referrals from local teachers. Family members also may suggest students to the program.

Emma said she became interested in the choir when she was in elementary school after encouragement from teachers.

“My music teachers have encouraged me and inspired me to sing in this choir,” she said.

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What: Winter’s Glow, a performance of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir

When: 7 p.m. today

Where: Westside Community Church, 124 Tipton Lakes Blvd., Columbus.

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