The Triangle Youth Chorus Trophy

For seven years, the Triangle Youth Chorus Trophy honored local school choruses and their directors. Its purpose was to encourage and promote choral singing in public schools, and to recognize the achievements of youth ensembles and music educators. (See a composite flash show of the first four years.)

The Trophy served as something of a "Stanley Cup" for young choruses: presented in the spring and retained by the winning school for one year. Big, fun and festive, it was designed by North Carolina artist Lyle Estill and featured 14 choristers made of recycled industrial metal parts; the annual winners were listed on plaques on the wooden base. (The Trophy may see reuse in another program that celebrates ensemble singing; plans presently are uncertain. For information, contact Carol Robbins at youthpromusica@aol.com.)

Along with the Trophy came a substantial grant, music scores, a recording session and Trophy t-shirts. The winner and other applicant ensembles had their work aired on a special segment of WCPE-FM’s “Great Sacred Music.” (Listen to former program host Ken Hoover's 2007 Radio Feature.) All applicant choirs also received a master class with a stellar choral leader.

The most recent Trophy winner was Sirens, women's ensemble at Riverside High School in Durham. Directed by Jill Boliek, Sirens is an auditioned honors choir of 40 singers. It has performed at local and regional concerts and national choral competitions, consistently receiving highest ratings. Under Mrs. Boliek's guidance, Sirens formed the core of a model "inclusive choir," in collaboration with the nonprofit organization, Voices Together; this ensemble brings in a dozen students with physical and mental disabilities to rehearse regularly and perform with Sirens. See the photo and audio montage of the surprise April 2010 Sirens tribute.

The Trophy was awarded annually to an ensemble at a public school in Wake, Durham, Orange or Chatham County. Evaluation was based on musical excellence and other factors — such as the choir's impact on members and others, chorus development (vocal quality, repertoire, number of participants, member diversity), etc.

Previous recipients of the Triangle Youth Chorus trophy were:

Durham School of the Arts Chorale (Scott Hill), 2004
Sandpipers of Jesse O. Sanderson High School, Raleigh (Marshall Butler), 2005
Chamber Choir of Enloe High School, Raleigh (Ann Huff), 2006
Jordansound of C.E Jordan High School, Durham (Joe Lupton), 2007
Capital Pride of Leesville Road High School, Raleigh, (Diane Covington), 2008
Durham School of the Arts Advanced Middle School Chorus (Laura Delauney), 2009

Serving on the Tropy's Advisory Board over the years were local educators, conductors, reviewers and other choral enthusiasts. They included: Dr. Lance Buhl, Buhl & Associates; Beverley Francis, Triangle Community Foundation (TCF); Scott Hill, Durham Children's Choir; Ken Hoover, WCPE; John Lambert, Classical Voice of North Carolina; Lisa McIver, Brightleaf Music Institute; Lori O'Keefe, TCF; Dr. Fran Page, Capital City Girls Choir/Meredith College; Carol Robbins, TriangleSings!; Leandra Strope, Sisters' Voices. Each year, the director of the Trophy-winning choir joined the Board for a one-year term.

The Trophy initiative was funded by TriangleSings!, Hinshaw Music, Inc., Alice and Lance Buhl and Walton Music Corporation; also, John Lambert, Sally Albrecht and Jay Althouse, Lisa and Tom McIver, and Burrage Music Company. Mark Manring contributed enormously, photographing the award ceremony and producing a CD for the winning ensemble each year. Master classes were offered gratis by Bill Carroll, Dan Huff, Sue Klausmeyer, Fran Page, Larry Speakman, Al Sturgis and Rodney Wynkoop.