Vocal for Change is thrilled to announce a new choral program at Elm City!

Our choral program gives 15 middle school students the opportunity to expand their vocal abilities through ensemble work in a lively and encouraging atmosphere. We welcome our newest members: Jaden B., Donasia G., Aminata S., Onora B., Vianka M., Corena H., Tatyana R., Tariq J. S., Teandrea C., Tiana C., Jasmine B., Hadiyah S., Jamilah S., Jami Joy G. and Jolene G. The first rehearsal was wonderful and we look forward to the coming rehearsals!

We would also like to introduce our newest staff member, Jonathan Fischer!

Jonathan, a sophomore at Yale University, assists in teaching weekly rehearsals at Elm City. He has been playing piano for 15 years and also has experience teaching music to children. We encourage you to listen to Jonathan’s music at www.jonjazz.com. He is an invaluable addition to the Vocal for Change team.

 

If you have questions about what we do at Vocal for Change or upcoming performances or you’d like to contribute in some way, please email Phoebe Bodurtha at pbodurtha11@students.hopkins.edu. We greatly appreciate your interest and your support!

 

The Inner City America Club at Hopkins School has become a Vocal for Change sponsor!

Hopkins students, please support ICA’s fundraising efforts so as to benefit V4C. Many thanks to ICA heads Lainee Burnette, Aishah Jenkins and Maria Shevelkina.

 

At 6:00p.m. on December 13th, Vocal for Change will be caroling on Broadway in New Haven!

Come downtown and listen to V4C singers perform classics such as Santa Claus is Coming to Town and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlmen. We hope to see you there!

 

Vocal for Change singers: our next rehearsal is Monday, December 6th.

Vocal for Change will be having its first school year rehearsal this Monday, October 18th from 5:30 to 7 PM at St. Martin De Porres Academy.

Dinner will be provided. Singers, make sure to notify whomever brings you home of this later pickup time.

For all singers who do not attend SMDA: if you have not handed in your sign-up form, you may bring it to our first rehearsal on Monday.

If you have any questions or would like to get a copy of a form, please email Vocal for Change Director Phoebe Bodurtha at phoebe.bodurtha@gmail.com.

We can’t wait to start singing with you all!

Our last performance for the summer. Enjoy!

Soloists: Lennix, Princess, Tatiana, Mishell, Jazlyn, and Jocelyn. Great job!

A message to all of the singers:

I couldn’t stop smiling. I am so proud of each and every one of you guys! You put so much energy and hard work into this group. You turned a week’s worth of practice during your fifteen-minute recess periods and brought yourselves to a professional level in this performance. Everyone who performed in tonight’s performance can say he or she was an official member of Vocal for Change’s first ever group. Congratulations!

I’m grateful to all of you who supported and partook in Vocal for Change. For those of you who are graduating Breakthrough or are returning to college in the fall, we’re all going to miss you dearly!

Here are some of the things I’m grateful for about this particular group of people:

-Rebecca’s ability to be completely on her game at every single rehearsal. (Not to mention the fact that she has perfect pitch!)

-Brittney’s incessant smiling during performances (Got it all on camera, Britt).

-Devyn’s inextinguishable spirit and smooth dance skills.

-Our incredible soloists on both “Apologize” and “Killing Me Softly”. Many thanks to Ashley, Dania, Malka, Mishell, Lennix, Princess, Tatiana, Jocelyn, and Jazlyn!

-Mykal’s random and awesome bursts into beat-boxing.

-Nico’s offering to make announcements at school assemblies.

–Mr. VanLeesten’s wholehearted support of our group before he even heard a note (and also for enduring our practices next to his office when we were still working out the harmonies).

-All the students and teachers who committed their FREE time to make the Talent Show and Graduation Ceremony wonderful performances.

I can’t wait to start Vocal for Change’s school-year singing group. Have a relaxing rest of the summer and see you all in the fall!

Phoebe Bodurtha

Director, Vocal for Change

Vocal for Change singers rehearsed their second song, “Killing Me Softly”, during a 20 minute practice. They will perform this piece tonight for friends and family at Breakthrough New Haven’s Celebration and Graduation Ceremony.

“The soloists and background vocals are incredible,” Vocal for Change director Phoebe Bodurtha said. “Shout out to Mykal for randomly breaking out in beat-boxing and making the song even better!”

Breakthrough New Haven students debuted as the first Vocal for Change group when they performed a Kuslan arrangement of One Republic’s “Apologize” at Breakthrough’s annual Talent Show. Ashley, Dania and Malka sang the solos.

“Thanks to the newcomers and teachers who helped so much with this endeavor!” Vocal for Change director Phoebe Bodurtha said.