Joyful Noise (chorus)

Joyful Noise performing at Harvard University - April 2014

Joyful Noise is a chorus of fifty adults, ages 17–75, with physical or intellectual disabilities and acquired brain injuries. Founded in 2000 by Allison Fromm, director, and chorus member Elizabeth Fromm, the ensemble is hosted by Bancroft, a support program for those with disabilities in southern New Jersey and Delaware.[1] Joyful Noise’s mission is to foster an atmosphere of community, acceptance, and teamwork in which members can discover their voices and express themselves through music.[2] Cathy Sonnenberg and Rob Kennan serve as associate director and Delaware director.

The Joyful Noise Choral Series has been established as part of the chorus’s vision to create new musical repertoire well suited to the spirit and the vocal and musical aptitudes of Joyful Noise and similar ensembles.[3] To launch this series, a grant of $3,500 from the Philadelphia Eagles[4] made possible the commissioning of new choral compositions by recognized choral composers Chester Alwes, James Bassi, Gerald Cohen, Edie Hill, Rob Kennan, Elliot Levine, J. David Moore, Nick Page, Alice Parker, Steven Sametz, and Jon Washburn. Ron Jeffers, editor of Earthsongs Publications, printed the first of these pieces for Joyful Noise’s appearances at regional and national conferences of the American Choral Directors Association[5] and Chorus America[6] in 2008, 2009 and 2011.

As a result of Joyful Noise's performance at the American Choral Directors Association's 2011 National Conference in Chicago, conductors in several states are developing similar ensembles for singers with disabilities.[7][8] In 2012, Joyful Noise performed at the Yale International Choral Festival.[9] In April 2014, Joyful Noise had a weekend residency at Harvard University with members of the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum.[10] In February 2016, Tim Sharp, ACDA Executive Director noted the direct influence Joyful Noise Chorus had on the new direction the ACDA will be heading with their "Innovation-In-Action" restructuring.

Performance Highlights

2011-Present

2006-2010

Elizabeth Fromm, Co-founder of Joyful Noise Chorus, working to foster an atmosphere of community, acceptance, and teamwork while discovering their voices and expressing themselves through music.

2000-2005

References

  1. ↑ "About Bancroft", 15 Jul. 2011
  2. ↑ "Welcome to Joyful Noise!", 15 Jul. 2011
  3. ↑ “Joyful Noise Choral Series", Earthsongs, 15 Jul. 2011
  4. ↑ Mitchell, Melissa, "U. of I. Music Student Leads Choral Group of Person with Disabilities", University of Illinois, 15 Jul. 2011
  5. ↑ "Melodies that Sing",The American Choral Directors Association", 15 Jul. 2011
  6. ↑ "Chorus America’s Conference in Philadelphia Offers Inspiration and Affirmation", Chorus America, 15 Jul. 2011
  7. ↑ Fromm, Allison, "Expressions of Joy" to begin Monday, June 6 in Albuquerque, Choralnet, 24 Jul. 2011
  8. ↑ Szalaj, Steven, "Joyful Noise Clone in Crystal Lake", Choralnet, 24 Jul. 2011
  9. ↑ Fromm, Allison, "Joyful Noise", Yale, 15 Jul. 2014
  10. ↑ Salley, Jessica, "Joyful Noise", Harvard Magazine, 15 Jul. 2014
  11. ↑ "Joyful Noise to Perform at WHYY Film Screening", 1 Aug 2011
  12. ↑ "Joyful Noise Special Needs Chorus Will Raise the Roof at Katz JCC, Jewish Community Voice, 1 Aug 2011
  13. ↑ Apple, Jan, "A Resounding, Joyful Noise Members of a Chorus of Adults with Special Needs Are Excited as They Prepare for a Concert.",The Inquirer, 1 Aug 2011

External links

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