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BOSTON - Tunes To Teens is turning up the volume this fall, making its
CD donation program available to high school and junior high school
choruses free of charge.
Since 2003, more than 3,000 students have received a cappella CDs
donated by singers, educators and fans of unaccompanied vocal music.
Usually, chorus directors must contribute $1 per CD to help cover the
expenses of the nonprofit program. But this fall, those fees will be
waived for school choruses that are new to the program, in an effort
to reach more singers in more regions. That means more access to
contemporary a cappella, the addictive trend of translating rock, jazz
and world music into a captivating all-vocal style.
"A cappella music gets students excited about harmonizing -- and the
theory and skill it requires," said Tunes To Teens founder Chris Tess.
"This fall, Tunes To Teens will be able to show more students what
their voices are capable of."
Choruses with up to 100 students will be eligible for free CDs, if
it's their first time participating in the program. For bigger
choruses, the first 100 students can receive free recordings, with
additional CDs available for $1 per student. Tunes To Teens is a
program of the Contemporary A Cappella Society, a California-based
nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering contemporary vocal
music.
Students and teachers who have participated in the program say it has
been an inspiration. "This program is really terrific," said Stephanie
of Westbrook Maine, a student whose instructor handed out Tunes To
Teens CDs. "Thank you for this brilliant program and the chance for me
personally to be exposed to a style of music I've never been
introduced to before."
Choir directors say the benefits are immediate. "Our CDs arrived, and
it was just like Christmas!" said Jane Vanderhoff of Garden City High
School Applied Music Class, in Garden City Kansas. "We will be sharing
in class this way: after each student has listened to their CD, they
will share one with the class and discuss something about it - why
they chose it, style, performer, etc. This is a great idea, and I
know it will have the effect I am hoping for - to generate more
interest and development of a cappella vocal jazz singing in our
school."
This summer, Rolling Stone magazine asked "Is A Cappella Secretly
Awesome?" Judging by the excitement of Tunes To Teens participants,
the answer is yes.
For more information, email Chris Tess at tunestoteens@casa.org
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