Yuma Youth Choir holding auditions, registration for upcoming season

Young people who admired the Yuma Youth Choir on its recent Europe trip and wished they could be singers, too, are about to get their wish.

The choir is about to start a fresh, new season and that means registrations and auditions for returning singers and a round of new voices.

Beth Tibbs is the Yuma Youth Choir's founder and director.

"This is always an exciting time because I have advanced kids coming back and then I have all the little kids who want to join and are just starting out," Tibbs said. "To me it's just awesome to have students of every age and ability, from all different walks of life, coming together."

Tibbs, who has a doctorate, is a music professor at Arizona Western College, where the Yuma Youth Choir rehearses, meets and stages several of its annual concerts.

But don't expect Tibbs to only be looking for beautiful voices when she holds her auditions.

"I'm looking for people who are responsible and have the desire. They don't have to have amazing voices. If they have the desire, I know I can bring out the best in them."

The choir was recently rewarded for its hard work with a 10-day trip to Europe, where the group performed in Paris, Belgium and Amsterdam.

The overall choir is made up of three subgroups representing differing voice types and abilities.

Auditions are not needed for kids interested in performing with the Beginning Choir. But auditions are required for the Elite Treble Ensemble and the Advanced Youth Choir.

Auditions are set for 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 18, and from 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 20 at the AWC music department. Rehearsals will start the week of Aug. 25.

Tibbs created the choir in 2003 after she noticed how many schools were cutting back on or eliminating music programs.

The curtain rose with 12 charter members back then, but that number has now grown to more than 50 singers. The choir is open to students from any school in Yuma County.

"I think music contributes to the whole person," Tibbs told The Sun in a previous article. "I just like the fact that kids are spending time doing something positive and creating something beautiful. I like that the kids are creating something uplifting, something that helps them become better people."

A lot of that development happens not only during rehearsals and performances, but during the choir's many fundraising opportunities, too. Tibbs launched a new program last year that saw kids earning money for their Europe trip by doing odd jobs for individuals, families and businesses. The director explained how she believed that singers would benefit twofold if they truly earned the majority of money, versus relying only on outright donations.

The choir took its first international trip two years ago when the singers traveled to Germany and Austria. Tibbs said she is considering a musical tour of Italy, including the possibility of a crowning-glory performance at the Vatican.

---
Darin Fenger can be reached at dfenger@yumasun.com or 539-6860.

CHOIR CLASS SCHEDULE

• Beginning Choir (No size limit)

Mondays from 4:45 to 6 p.m.

Open to all students ages 9 to 15 (boys whose voices haven't changed and all girls)

No audition necessary

No experience necessary. Most students in this group will have up to 3 years of experience

Students will learn basic musical terms, and learn the basics of music reading.

Students will be exposed to a variety of choral styles including the Classics, Broadway and contemporary choral music.

• Elite Treble Ensemble (Elite choral group limited to about 16 voices)

Mondays from 6 to 7:45 p.m.

Open to all treble voices approximately ages 14 and up

Audition required

Must be able to read music, carry a part without the help of another person

Attendance required at all rehearsals and performances.

Must be able to sight read music.

• Advanced Youth Choir (no size limit)

Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m.

Open to all students from ages 9 – 21, including boys whose voices have changed

Audition required

Must have at least two years choral experience

• To contact Professor Tibbs:Send e-mail to elizabeth.tibbs@azwestern.edu or call 317-6019