WESTFIELD-The first rehearsal is fast approaching for the recently resurrected Young Singers of Greater Westfield, according to its new artistic director Kerry Turok.
“Young Singers of Greater Westfield was founded in 2001 by Janet St. Jean as an auditioned concert choir for talented young singers in the greater Westfield area,” said Turok. “Janet St. Jean ran the group with wonderful success for 16 years before retiring in 2017.”
Kerry Turok is the new artistic director for the resurrected Young Singers of Greater Westfield. (Submitted photo)
Turok is accepting students in grades 5-8 with the first rehearsal slated Feb. 7 in the Catherine Dower Center for the Performing and Fine Arts at Westfield State University. Rehearsals will be conducted Thursday nights from 6 to 7:15.
“There will be about 16 rehearsals until our concert on June 8 with a time and place to be determined,” said Turok.
Turok noted that music has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember.
“I started singing in my church choir in kindergarten and never stopped,” she said.
Turok attended Westfield State University and graduated in 2015 with a degree in Vocal Music Education. She has been a choral director in the Westfield Public Schools for four years, at North Middle School, now Westfield Intermediate School. She is also attending Gordon College for her Master’s degree in Music Education.
“My hope is for students to be exposed to music from a diverse background of time periods and genres,” said Turok, adding, “also to both traditional and non-traditional choral works.”
Registration is underway and the cost each semester is $100. If there is a financial hardship, Turok noted that the payment can be divided into four monthly payments of $25.
While the group is based in Westfield, students from the surrounding towns can participate.
“Through this program I hope to provide young singers with an outlet, outside of the school day, to build confidence, develop a sense of community, encourage self-expression and nurture a love of singing,” said Turok.
For more information and to register, contact Turok via email to [email protected].
