The Texas Youth Chorale Sings for Mrs. Laura Bush
On October 19th 2013, the Texas Youth Chorale made their musical debut by singing to former First Lady Mrs. Laura Bush at the Season of Hope Gala, in Grapevine Texas.
Eight charter members of the Chorale were prepared and ready to sing with all of their hearts to the room of 750 people.
The highlight of our performance was when we opened with God Bless America and people stood up in honor of the song. Toward the end of the piece, Mrs. Bush walked in and from that moment on, we connected with our audience and especially Mrs. Bush.
This is the first year for the Texas Youth Chorale. Our first annual Benefit concert will be March 2nd in Denton. Each Chorale member will sell tickets for the concert. This money will be used toward their Ireland trip in 2015. Tickets will also be sold at the door for $10, which will go to help the Denton County Food Bank.
Upcoming audition dates for the selection of additional Chorale members is February 8th and 22nd at the First Baptist Church, 1100 Malone Street, Denton.
Go to www.ntchoirs.com for more information.
Leadership
Leadership is a relationship between those who aspire to lead and those who chose to follow. Sometimes the relationship is one-to-one. Sometimes it’s one-to-many. But regardless of whether the number is one or one thousand, leadership is a relationship.
Model the Way
Leaders establish principles concerning the way people (constituents, peers, colleagues, and customers alike) should be treated and the way goals should be pursued. They create standards of excellence and then set an example for others to follow. Because the prospect of complex change can overwhelm people and stifle action, they set interim goals so that people can achieve small wins as they work toward larger objectives. They unravel bureaucracy when it impedes action; they put up signposts when people are unsure of where to go or how to get there; and they create opportunities for victory.
Inspire a Shared Vision
Leaders passionately believe that they can make a difference. They envision the future, creating an ideal and unique image of what the organization can become. Through their magnetism and quiet persuasion, leaders enlist others in their dreams. They breathe life into their visions and get people to see exciting possibilities for the future.
Challenge the Process
Leaders search for opportunities to change the status quo. They look for innovative ways to improve the organization. In doing so, they experiment and take risks. And because leaders know that risk taking involves mistakes and failures, they accept the inevitable disappointments as learning opportunities.
Enable Others to Act
Leaders foster collaboration and build spirited teams. They actively involve others. Leaders understand that mutual respect is what sustains extraordinary efforts; they strive to create an atmosphere of trust and human dignity. They strengthen others, making each person feel capable and powerful.
Encourage the Heart
Accomplishing extraordinary things in organizations is hard work. To keep hope and determination alive, leaders recognize contributions that individuals make. In every winning team, the members need to share in the rewards of their efforts, so leaders celebrate accomplishments. They make people feel like heroes.
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Concert Information
The 2014 North Texas Children’s Choir Concert
2:00 p.m
Saturday, January 25, 2026
The Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Hall
Dallas, TX
Letter from Lynn Gackle
Dear NTCC,
It was my HONOR and PRIVILEGE to be a part of your wonderful program! I thoroughly enjoyed myself and it is always great to be with the teachers and you fabulous kiddos!
Thanks again for having me be a part of the NTCC 2012 – 2013. What you are doing with this whole concept is so affirming and so meaningful to the teachers, to the students and to the profession, as a whole. I am amazed by the growth that I have seen in just the two years that I was a part of the event. Bravo, my dear friend! May God continue to bless you and your “ministry”!
Blessings,
Lynne Gackle, Ph.D.
Professor of Ensembles
Associate Director of Choral Activities
Baylor University – School of Music
One Bear Place #97408
Waco, TX 76798-7408
17th Annual NTCC Concert Reflection
Dear Friends of the North Texas Children’s Choir,
The 17th Annual NTCC concert at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas was extraordinary!!
The 240 students have been given this enriching and empowering opportunity because of the time the teachers were willing to give outside of the classroom. Our teachers work so hard to make sure each student not only becomes a better singer, but also a better person.
The mission of the NTCC is to enrich the lives of children through the power, joy and beauty of music. We need your help to continue this enrichment program.
Would you please consider a donation to NTCC of $10, $25, or even $100? Every dollar helps to develop and grow the children and the teachers who participate in this organization. Donations can be made directly on the website.
Thank you for your kind consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Ann Smith Founder & Artistic Director North Texas Metroplex Children’s Choirs, Inc.
Music and the Arts
Connected with Learning and the Brain
By Ann Smith
The Mozart Effect asserts, “In an instant, music can uplift our soul. It awakens within us the spirit of prayer, compassion, and love. It clears our minds and has been known to make us smarter.”
Music is a valued part of culture; it is a birthright of every child. In addition, learning music in school contributes to student achievement in four important categories:
Success in society
Success in school and learning
Success in developing intelligence
Success in life
Test Scores
Why do we want a high quality music education program in our schools? One reason would be that tests show students in top-quality music programs score better on the SAT as well as other standardized tests. In 2006, the “Journal of Research in Music Education” found that students in top-quality music programs scored 22 percent better in English and 20 percent better in Math. The College Board reported that same year that on the SAT, students who had experience in musical performance scored 57 percent higher on Verbal and 43 percent higher on Math.
According to the “No Child Left Behind Act of 2000,” the arts are classified as a “core academic subject.”
Earning Potential
A 2007 report from the “New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce” reported that high earnings are not just associated with people who have high technical skills. The mastery of the arts and humanities is just as closely correlated with high earnings.
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee said, “Ask CEOs what they are looking for in an employee, and they will say they need people who understand teamwork, who are disciplined, and who understand the big picture. You know what they need? They need musicians!”
Intellectual Development – The University of […]
