Spaghetti Dinner! Covington’s non-profit Rainier Youth Choirs is fundraising to cover operating expenses and keep tuition costs affordable.

Bring family and friends on Friday, November 12 to Cedar Heights Middle School, 19640 SE 272nd, Kent, WA, anytime between 5:30 and 7:30pm. Enjoy a pasta dinner with your choice of sauce (Pesto, Tomato, and a meat sauce with meatballs), salad, garlic bread, mozzarella Puffins and dessert. Ice water, coffee, and tea are included in the meal, but there will be pop and bottled water for sale as well.

Children 1-5 years old are $1 per year of age age. Everyone else is $7 pre-paid through an RYC member, or $8 at the door.

Please pre-order tickets via email and pay at the door!

Thanks to Leora Schwitters of Rainier Youth Choirs for contributing this story.

Kent’s Rainier Youth Choirs received two standing ovations from an audience of 1,500 delegates representing 17 countries Tuesday night at the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Convention in Spokane.

The first ovation, early in the program, was for Kent composer and DKG member Janice Hannesson Moen’s composition, “We Sing for the Children”.  The song, selected by the United Nations as the theme song for UNICEF’s CD promoting the Afghan Teacher Training Project in 2008, holds special significance for the Delta Kappa Gamma organization.  “I have never heard my song sung so well!” was Moen’s reaction.   Many in the audience were moved to tears.

The choirs presented a variety of songs from around the world.  Among the favorites were Quick’s arrangement of “Loch Lomond” featuring Kentwood High School’s 2010 graduate, Ryan Callahan, tenor, and “For Good” (from Wicked) with solos by alto Devon Wilson, Kentwood High School, 2010, and soprano Katie Wenndt, Kentridge High School, 2010.  The final showstopper was a rendition of Marcos Leite’s “Trěs Cantos Nativos dos Indios Kraó”, a set of three short songs from the Brazilian rain forest that began with an amazing rainstorm effect using body percussion.  Leora Schwitters, Rainier Youth Choirs’ Artistic Director, stated, “This was one of our finest programs ever.  The singers were entirely engaged and their performance was electric.  The use of two giant video screens above the stage and professional sound reinforcement allowed even those in the very back of the giant hall to participate in the intimacy of a heartfelt sharing of songs.  We were all transported in that magical way that only choral music can allow.”

Moen reported these and other complimentary reactions from audience members:  “That is the finest youth choir I’ve ever heard.”  “It was so inspiring!”  “I loved the variety of music they performed.”  “They have restored my faith in the youth of today.”  DKG delegate Joy Lauderbaugh of Kent shared that the convention newsletter included these quotes from attendees:  “The young people’s chorale was the best thing on the program.”  “I loved hearing the choirs and watching them make music together.  Outstanding examples of young people!”  “The Rainier Youth Choir set a high performance standard.  Washington is lucky to have talented musicians and a great director.”

For more information about this community nonprofit, visit Rainier Youth Choirs online.

Join the Rainier Youth Choir on Saturday, Jun 19 for an evening of music. The “Sentimental Journey” concert begins at 3:00pm at the Kent Methodist Church located at 11010 SE 248^th St., Kent.  See youth of all ages from Kent, Maple Valley, Auburn, Federal Way, Enumclaw and Renton.  Tickets are $12/$10 purchased in advance and $15/$12 at the door.

RYC is a non-profit community organization, partially funded by the Kent Arts Commission and 4 Culture, which offers age-appropriate, exceptional choral singing experiences for boys and girls with a variety of levels.

“This will be a bittersweet concert with 14 seniors graduating, some of whom have sung with me and each other since they were in fifth grade,” observed Leora Schwitters, RYC’s Artistic Director.  “We’ll be programming several favorite songs from their past as well as adding a few new selections.”  Repertoire for this concert includes lighter Broadway numbers, folk songs, jazz ballads, spirituals, as well as newer selections by Stroope, Ratledge, Sevier and Quick.

Auditions for Rainier Youth Choirs are now available for the 2010-11 season by appointment for boys and girls with strong musical talent, grades 4 and up. RYC groups rehearse weekly throughout the school year in Covington, September through May.

For ticket orders and more information about Rainier Youth Choirs, visit www.RainierYouthChoirs.org .

Rainier Youth Choirs will present “All Creatures Great and Small” on Saturday, March 27 at Kent United Methodist Church, 11010 SE 248th St., Kent, WA  98030.

Tickets are $12 and $10 if purchased in advance and $15 and $12 at the door.

For more info., visit Rainier Youth Choirs online.

Rainier Youth Choirs will present their annual holiday choral concert at the Kent United Methodist Church on Saturday, December 12.  The church is located at 11010 SE 248^th St., and the performance will begin at 3:00 PM.

Rainier Youth Choirs consists of four ensembles of various levels, from the honor choir, Rainier Kids for grades 3-7, to the three auditioned groups, Bella Voce, Colla Voce and Consonare, spanning grades 4 through college age youth.  Members come from Covington, Kent, Maple Valley, Auburn, Federal Way, Enumclaw and Renton.

These groups sing a variety of quality choral music including folk, classical, show tunes, and contemporary arrangements.  Artistic Director, Leora Schwitters, conducts the two older groups, and Sue  Green directs the younger.

The choral concert is entitled “Winter Magic” and will feature many holiday favorites, classics and contemporary selections incorporating artistry, humor and audience participation.  Tickets are available on our website and will also be available at the door.  Tickets purchased in advance are $12 Adults and $10 Seniors/Students.

For more information about Rainier Youth Choirs, visit www.RainierYouthChoirs.org .