THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 7, 1994 TAG: 9408050241
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Rebecca Myers
LENGTH: Long : 106 lines
``Sing, sing a song, sing out loud, sing out strong,
``Don't worry if it's not good enough for anyone else to hear, just sing, sing a song . . .''
Linda Vastardis couldn't agree more with the lyrics to that '70s hit by The Carpenters.
``My philosophy is that all children need to sing,'' said Vastardis, founder and director of the Old Dominion University Children's Choir. ``All children can learn to sing. They need to be given a chance.''
That chance comes this month in the form of an audition for children 8 to 16 interested in being a part of the ODU Children's Choir.
Though not every child who tries out is accepted, Vastardis looks for much more than just the ability to sing.
``I've had children come into the choir who I've auditioned who did not really show their best, but they've had other qualities that were very, very positive,'' she said. ``And I've seen children who did not sing very well just grow by leaps and bounds with proper instruction.''
But Vastardis, 42, who recently received her degree in music education with a vocal emphasis from Old Dominion University, also knows that ``not every child is right for the choir, and the choir is not right for every child.''
``It's kind of a unique combination that you're looking for,'' she said. ``Certainly, commitment to the project is probably the most vital criteria.''
The choir, which is about to start its second season, rehearses every Tuesday night and one Sunday a month from September to June. Additional rehearsals are usually called in the weeks preceding a big production, normally held in December.
The choir, limited to 40, not only gives children advanced training in how the voice works, it teaches them how to use their voices correctly.
``There are lots of kids who are talented but who do a lot of incorrect singing, and they end up damaging their voices. In fact, I'm one of those,'' said Vastardis, who started singing at age 3 with her family on a country music show called ``The Darden Family,'' shown on WAVY-TV in the 1950s.
``I sang my whole life before I ever learned how to use my voice correctly, and now one of my vocal cords is very enlarged and the other one is very lame, so they don't work quite like they're supposed to,'' she said.
``I would probably have a much greater range, and an even better use of my voice, if I had known, if I had had proper training as a child and learned how to breathe and how to support my voice.''
Vastardis, who hopes one day to teach music in the public schools, knows the key to working with young people.
``With children, you have to keep it fast-moving; keeping them focused and on a work ethic can be challenging. You really need to go into the rehearsal prepared, knowing exactly what you want to accomplish, and you have to have some kind of long-term goal and then a way to meet it in small lumps each week, rather than trying to accomplish everything in one rehearsal.''
Name: Linda Vastardis
Nickname: Suzie Q (my mother's the only one who calls me this)
Occupation: Founder/director of Old Dominion University Children's Choir
Neighborhood: Brittany Woods
Number of years in Portsmouth: 18
Birthplace: Maryview Hospital
Birthdate: 9-16-51
What other job than your own would you like? Vocal/music educator in a local public school
Marital status: Married 11 years to Tony Vastardis
Children: Melissa Jones, married, and Stephen Vastardis, 8
Grandchildren: Expecting one in December
Fondest childhood memory: My Grandma Moore worked for the Colonial Stores and Tuesday was her day off. She would take me on the bus to downtown Portsmouth to shop. We had a wonderful time.
First concert: I don't know. I performed in most concerts I attended.
What song or book title best describes your life? ``Winter Is Not Forever,'' by Janette Oke
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? Tickets around the world for me and my family.
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Terry Meeuwsen, co-host of The 700 Club.
Biggest accomplishment: Obtaining my bachelor of music degree in music education.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I wish I would have gotten my college education before I was married and had children.
Perfect way to spend the day: If the weather's nice, shopping. If the weather's bad, curled up with a good book.
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: The Flagship
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: Candlelight Inn, where my brother, Danny Darden, performs.
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: There is not enough tax-based industry to help fund city expenditures and there's no land available for future large-scale development.
If you had two wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
Money to run the city provided from tax-based industry.
Homeless receive more aid.
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about living in Portsmouth? There are many wonderful and loving people in Portsmouth. MEMO: ABOUT THE CHOIR
The ODU Children's Choir is open to young singers from 8 to 16 and
includes members from Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Norfolk and
Virginia Beach. To schedule an audition, call Linda Vastardis at
484-8036 or the Community Music Academy at 683-4075. ILLUSTRATION: Linda Vastardis
Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
by CNB