Coastal Voices, the 56-member community choir based on the central Oregon Coast, has received a $2,300 grant from The Roundhouse Foundation to create a choral education program for middle and high schools in the Lincoln County School District.
Coastal Voices artistic director Rhodd Caldwell is the head of the project, assisted by members of SoundWaves, a small ensemble drawn from the larger group.
“I will be visiting LCSD middle and high schools on a rotating basis leading workshops emphasizing best practices for group singing, such as breathing techniques, good posture, and attending to the director,” said Caldwell, adding that he hopes to show students that school choir is an activity they can enjoy.
“Today’s young people lack role models of live singing,” he said. “They are familiar with television programs like ‘Glee’ and “The Voice,’ which set unrealistic expectations. As a person who has found so much peace and comfort in singing, I want Lincoln County students to discover that music can be a safe space.”
Caldwell is collaborating with music educators in the district to design programs suitable for each school. The grant will provide supplies such as sheet music, music stands, stools, and educational materials.
Founded in 2002, The Roundhouse Foundation is based in Sisters, Ore. and dedicated to supporting programs that inspire creativity and connect people with each other and their sense of place, emphasizing support for rural communities.
