When you hear the words “children’s chorus,” you probably think of a pretty straightforward group of kids making music. If you’re in Wilmington, Delaware, you have good reason to think of a whole lot more. Wilmington Children’s Chorus Executive Director Lianna Magerr and Artistic Director Kimberly Doucette join me to talk about how they’ve gone beyond the rehearsal room to create an organization that reaches more than 500 kids in the Wilmington area, many from low-income neighborhoods, with the goal of empowering young people to change their world through music.

Read this week's post, "How to Stop Being Your Own Creative Enemy," here: https://fyc.quest/enemy

Episode breakdown:

00:00 Lianna's and Kimberly's creative background.

10:18 Lianna wanted to teach; followed passion through choir.

14:37 WCC evolves to meet ever-changing community needs.

17:55 Pioneered safe in-person singing during COVID-19.

27:35 COVID disrupted children's conflict resolution skill development.

31:13 Neighborhood choir program for underserved communities launched successfully.

39:02 Inclusive environment helps kids try new activities.

43:20 Early childhood music boosts development but requires resources.

47:40 Community centers essential for low-income neighborhoods.

51:15 Families support children's chorus through donations, trust.

59:56 Identify community needs and provide unique contributions.

01:01:56 Collaborative spirit and community connections in Wilmington.

01:06:52 Wilmington Children's Chorus 20th anniversary post-COVID concert

Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack.

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