Finding Your Voice Poetry Contest

This unique program is designed to complete a circle of exposure, expression and performance of choral music:  First, by introducing choral music in a tangible, fun way that young people can appreciate.  Then offering them an opportunity to “find their voice” through poetry and finally seeing that come to life from the composer’s point of view in hearing those words performed in song.

2011 Competition

Washington state students in grades 6-12 are invited to submit original poetry on the year's theme:  NATURE.  The winning poem will be set to music by Seattle composer, Karen P. Thomas and performed by Choral Arts during the 2011-2012 season.  Students must submit their poem with both an application and parental consent form.  Applications must be postmarked by April 15th, 2011.

Link to PDF of Application and Consent Form

History

In 2009, Choral Arts inaugurated its Finding Your Voice Poetry Contest. We invited elementary and middle school students from around the Puget Sound region to submit poems based on the theme of FREEDOM. The winner, Leeann Reed, then a 6th grader at Stewart Elementary school in Puyallup, won the competition with her wonderful poem “Freedom Soars”.  Choral Arts then asked Vijay Singh, composer and choral conductor at Central Washington University, to set Leeann’s poem to music.

Hear Choral Arts' premiere of  "Freedom Soars"  in the Music Player under the Information tab on Choral Arts' Facebook page.

                Robert Bode presents Leeann Reed with his score of  Freedom Soars" after the premiere on April 30, 2010.

Leeann Reed and family members greeted by Choral Arts' singers

Marilyn Cleveland and Melanie Stevens.