
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, August 23, 1994                   TAG: 9408250034
SECTION: WELCOME STUDENTS                    PAGE: 45   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

WITH THESE KIDS, HARMONY IS MORE THAN A FEW NOTES

They call it "Voices in Harmony," and it is indeed the sound of singing. Once called the "Radford University Children's Choir," the name changed when the boy's voices did and the group had to add baritone parts.

The name "Voices in Harmony" reflects both the group's musical approach and the friendship among the members, according to a Radford University news release.

"Some of these children who are interested in the arts might be in the minority where they come from," says Radford University voice teacher and "Voices" director Betty Turner. "But here they find children like themselves and many friendships have developed." Choir members come from throughout Giles, Pulaski, Floyd and Montgomery counties.

The choir is a hands-on learning lab for Radford University music students. Music education students observe the group, students perform for the choir, and a student is assistant director.

"Our big thrust is education," Turner said. "That's what makes us different. I teach choir members the same things I teach my freshman voice students."

Turner is an advocate of "free singing," in which the voice is in harmony with the body.

"Children can grasp this easily," she said. "I wanted to start a children's choir because I had encountered too many older singers with bad habits and unnatural-sounding voices. My primary goal is to teach how to sing correctly with proper breathing, tone, diction and attention to musical detail. It's a matter of understanding how the instrument works and what's natural. Unfortunately, rock and rap role models don't help teach this."

Turner thinks choir involvement contributes to self-esteem. "Children have an innate sense when they do something well," she said. "They know when they've done quality work. That's a big builder of self esteem and can make a true difference in a person's life."

There should be quite a few young children on campus this week as the choir holds auditions. It's open to kids ages nine to 15.

-New River Valley bureau

by CNB