March 14, 2009. Chevy Chase, Md. OAKE.

I had never heard about the organization, but there we all were, in the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall, listening to most gorgeous sounds coming from three different choirs of young people. Sarah loves to sing, and her teacher at school says that she sings well, so the teacher encouraged Sarah to audition for a National children's Choir, to be a one time event in Washington D.C. for five days during Spring Break. Sarah made a tape at school, and soon a letter arrived congratulated Sarah on her acceptance to the National Children's Choir. Sarah was delighted. The Family all voted to cancel their skiing trip and go to Washinton for the week. Sarah was involved from Wednesday to Saturday, with rehearsals every day, all day. Saturday evening the concert was the culmination of the hard work. The Hall was full of parents and relatives and teachers of singing. The very large choirs sang beautifully. My Mother would have loved it.

OAKE is the Organization of American Kodaly Educators, and have been holding these annual event to promote singing to the youth of America for 35 years. I had never heard of the organization, but clearly, as in so many other volunteer organizations, many many dedicated educators organize these annual events, where three choirs are formed, just for the one event. Sarah was in the Children's Choir, for children up the the fifth grade. 170 kids were in that choir, led by Sandra Mathias. Next up was the Youth Choir, with 190 junior high school students, led by Dan JeJeune, followed by the Concert Choir of High School students. This choir is half boys and girls, and sings together several times through out the year. The leader is Janos Horvath, who teaches at the University of Calgary. 200 young people were in that choir. I am sure that in practices, the kids did not always look or act like angels, but last evening, every child from the youngest to the oldest sounded and looked like angels. The singing was beautiful and the training invaluable. Sarah had six pieces to be sung, all by memory. Of course, every child came wanting to sing and the leaders were very accomplished and experienced with children. It was such an impressive event, especially when I did not even know anything about the group until Sarah brought it to our attention.

Now David, Suzanne, Sarah, Abigail. Samantha and Allison have gone home. We said goodbye to them on the Metro on the way home. The concert was too late for an after concert treat. Now we will miss them here. Ken and I always enjoy those six lively energetic people.