ABOUT US
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
The Northwestern Michigan College Children’s Choir is a program of exemplary choral music performance that develops high levels of artistic, expressive singing for students in Kindergarten through grade nine in the Greater Grand Traverse Area. The Children’s Choir exists to artistically enrich the lives of the children, their families, and the community.
OUR STORY
The Northwestern Michigan College Children’s Choir was founded by Mark and Barbara Puchala in the fall of 1990 in order to provide an opportunity for students in Northwest Michigan to participate in a quality, performance-based choral music experience. In the beginning, the program involved one choir of forty-five students. Over the years that statistic has dramatically changed, and there are now seven choirs involving over two hundred singers from kindergarten through the ninth grade.
Highlights from the previous thirty-two years include award-winning performances at state, national and international competitions and appearances at numerous choral conferences and festivals. The most experienced choir in the NMCCC program has shared the stage with the American Boy Choir, and the MSU Children’s Choir. The choir has also worked with James Litton, the former director of the American Boy Choir, Henry Leck, director of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, and Emily Ellsworth, director of the Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus.
Jeffrey Cobb assumed the leadership of the NMC Children’s Choir in the fall of 2011, after the retirement of founders Mark and Barbara Puchala. In addition to Mr. Cobb, the current program leadership includes Directors Stephanie Schall-Brazee, Todd Vipond, Joanna Aldridge, Ashley Larimer-Kelly, and Jamie Moreland, and accompanists David Husser, Margie Hunter and Julie Gaubatz.
The 33rd season of the NMC Children’s Choir continues the legacy, firmly established by the Puchalas, of providing outstanding choral training and quality performances. The artistic vision from twenty-four years ago continues to be fulfilled and expanded. The success of both the program, and of the many “graduates” who continue to sing as both amateurs and professionals, points towards a promising, fulfilling future for the NMCCC.
Highlights from the previous thirty-two years include award-winning performances at state, national and international competitions and appearances at numerous choral conferences and festivals. The most experienced choir in the NMCCC program has shared the stage with the American Boy Choir, and the MSU Children’s Choir. The choir has also worked with James Litton, the former director of the American Boy Choir, Henry Leck, director of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, and Emily Ellsworth, director of the Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus.
Jeffrey Cobb assumed the leadership of the NMC Children’s Choir in the fall of 2011, after the retirement of founders Mark and Barbara Puchala. In addition to Mr. Cobb, the current program leadership includes Directors Stephanie Schall-Brazee, Todd Vipond, Joanna Aldridge, Ashley Larimer-Kelly, and Jamie Moreland, and accompanists David Husser, Margie Hunter and Julie Gaubatz.
The 33rd season of the NMC Children’s Choir continues the legacy, firmly established by the Puchalas, of providing outstanding choral training and quality performances. The artistic vision from twenty-four years ago continues to be fulfilled and expanded. The success of both the program, and of the many “graduates” who continue to sing as both amateurs and professionals, points towards a promising, fulfilling future for the NMCCC.