snca YOUTH CHOIR

The mission of the Sautee Nacoochee Youth Choir is “to provide outstanding choral music instruction and performance experiences that promote personal expression, collaboration, and creativity.” 

Ages
8 years old to 18 years old

Rehearsals

Begin Monday, September 13, 2010
and every Monday from 4:00 to 5:30 pm
in preparation for the holiday season. 

Holiday Concerts
Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 8pm
Sunday, December 19, 2010 at 2pm. 

snca Youth Choir Fees
$120 SNCA members
$130 Non-Members.

About the Music Director 

Brandon Nonnemaker is excited to be the founding director of the Sautee Nacoochee Youth Choir at SNCA! Mr. Nonnemaker has worked with the 2008 and 2010 productions of Headwaters as a performer and vocal director and serves on the Headwaters Story Team Advisory Committee and Performing Arts Committee. At the Sautee Nacoochee Center, he began performing in the 1996 production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and has since been on the Center Stage in Godspell, Little Shop of Horrors, and most recently, Shubert Alley in the Valley. A regular performer of musical theatre, opera, and choral repertoire, Mr. Nonnemaker performed with Lanier Chamber Singers at the ACDA Southern Division Conference in Memphis this past March. He has also had the privilege of singing at such venues as the Washington National Cathedral, Christ Church in Oxford, UK, and the Theatre at Epidaurus, GR. Mr. Nonnemaker has worked with Capitol City Opera, Gainesville Theatre Alliance, Holly Children’s Theatre, and more. Performance credits range from Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites to The Sound of Music. Music directing and vocal coaching credits include Honk!, Grease, and Disney’s High School Musical. Mr. Nonnemaker has been a NATS award recipient in classical singing and musical theatre. He received both a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance and a Master’s degree in Music Education from Piedmont College. Currently, he teaches music at Mossy Creek Elementary School in Cleveland, GA. As a scholar, Mr. Nonnemaker has researched, written, and presented on topics that include sacred music literature, American classical music, cultural diversity in the arts, and pranayama and qigong breathing. Mr. Nonnemaker is an active member of MENC (National Association for Music Education), ACDA (American Choral Directors Association), EdTA (Educational Theatre Association), ASCD (formerly the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development), and GAE (Georgia Association of Educators).

The Director's Goals and Plans

I am committed to instilling within each singer an understanding, appreciation, and love for music. I believe that children and youth (and adults!) can recognize and appreciate individual differences and rich cultural diversity through the study of music and the arts. The SNYC christmas program will be loosely based on the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. It is my hope that this program will, over the years, become a staple of the holiday season within our community. Programming will include traditional Christmas carols (Hark! The Herald Angels Sing), popular Christmas songs (Jingle Bells), and holiday music from around the world (African Noel). 

Why is music important?

There has been much research about music and the human brain (check out the fabulous PBS film entitled The Music Instinct: Science and Song, featuring Bobby McFerrin!). Not only has music been an integral part of the human existence, but it remains an undeniable force in the world we occupy. Plato believe that music enhanced the development of character within each person. Numerous studies support the quantifiable gains music provides to other academic areas. The bottom line is: musical training has a profound impact on speech and language, memory and attention, the ability to vocally convey emotions, and more. In fact, working with musical sounds enhances neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to adapt and change. As physical exercise impacts body fitness, music is an avenue that tones the brain for auditory fitness. Music is, by nature, a beautiful part of childhood. Children happily go through their day singing and dancing. It should be a natural response for adults to take something so enjoyable to children and broaden the horizons of their experience, understanding, and individual development. 

If you have any questions, please call Terri Edgar at 706-878-3300
or send an e-mail tedgar@snca.org

Registration materials and information are available at SNCA
or Print the Registration Form Here!

snca Youth Choir is taught by Brandon Nonnemaker.

Fee: $120 for SNCA members, $130 for Non-Members.