AMPlify Conductors Aisha Bowden and James Dekle.
Photo by Gideon Malitskie.
Welcome to AMPlify! This week was exhilarating! We began class on Tuesday with over 60 brilliant scholars of Ivy Preparatory Academy at Kirkwood.
AMPlify consists of two dynamic choral ensembles, grouped by grade. All first through third graders sing in the Marian Anderson Choir, conducted by James Dekle and all fourth through seventh graders sing in the R. Nathaniel Dett Choir, conducted by yours truly, Aisha Bowden. The first day brought nothing but wonderful outcomes – a beautiful sound, a group of hardworking singers, and a great start to becoming literate musicians!
R. Nathaniel Dett Concert Choir on the first day of AMPlify. Photo by Gideon Malitskie.
Engaged participants in the Marian Anderson Primary Choir enjoy rehearsal.
Photo by Gideon Malitskie.
During our first days together, both choirs enjoyed singing folk songs, learning solfege, and getting to know their choir directors as well as each other. Our excitement about the year grew even more with the arrival of our newest instrument – a gorgeous Steinway grand piano! Thank you to our friends at Nordstrom for such a wonderful donation!
Our Steinway – only the best for AMPlify!
Photo by Gideon Malitskie
AMPlify’s R. Nathaniel Dett Concert Choir.
Photo by Gideon Malitskie.
Already we are making beautiful music, and we ask you now to clear a space on your calendar for our first public concert – March 23, 2013 at 12 noon at Ivy Preparatory Academy! Click here for more information. See you there!