The South Hills Children's Choir hosts the annual “Bridges of Song” with teaching artist Dr. Joy Hirokawa, director of the Bel Canto Youth Choir. Joined by the Pittsburgh Youth Chorus, Pittsburgh Girls Choir, and Giovani Voci, SHCC shares a day of choral singing and camaraderie open to all local youth. This event takes place on March 21, 2020 from 9:00-2:30 at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Peters Township.
This event is meant to build bridges of understanding through friendship and the richness of a choir community. Constant interface with technology erodes societal relationships; singing develops them. Journalist Cassandra Sheppard notes “that singing in groups triggers the communal release of serotonin and oxytocin, the bonding hormone, and even synchronizes our heart beats. Group singing literally incentivized community over an 'each cave dweller for themselves' approach. Those who sang together were strongly bonded. . .”
A healthy lunch will be provided by Heisler’s Market, Trader Joes, Eat N Park, Starbucks- McMurray, Chick fil A, and local bakeries. The day concludes with a free performance conducted by Dr. Hirokawa. Choristers will learn ASL in “Can You Hear Me?” by Bob Chilcott, recount WWII memories in “Homeland” by Randall Stroope, and enjoy a new work by Dr. Hirokawa. The public is welcome. Interested singers should register at http://shcchoir.org/bridges.html.
The South Hills Children's Choir is a nonprofit choir dedicated to offering quality musical education for children from all walks of life in the surrounding community and celebrating diversity both in music and in Southwestern Pennsylvania's youth. The Choir aims to establish a life-long relationship with and respect for quality music in the singers' and their families' lives.
The South Hills Children’s Choir receives state arts funding support through a generous grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the arts, a federal agency.
