GRAC to Re-Institute Gateway Community Youth Chorus with Focus on Region-Wide Reach

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022

MT STERLING: Today, the staff of the Gateway Regional Arts Center is thrilled to announce plans to reinstate the Gateway Community Youth Chorus (GCYC) for area young people. The choir, which will be housed at GRAC, is focused on reaching not only students in Montgomery County, but also those in surrounding communities that don’t have a local outlet for vocal music. After a unanimous vote, the Board of Directors approved a one year contract for a new director, Ross Haney, to head up the choral group’s activities.

Haney, who lives in Carslile, expressed excitement about bringing youth from across the Gateway area together to make music. “I am extremely excited to be working with students from throughout the region with the Gateway Community Youth Chorus. I believe that singing is foundational in a child's music education, and for some students it is a great outlet for expressing themselves and relieving the stresses of their everyday life. Regardless of their experience level in singing, I would be privileged to teach them and bring them into the GCYC family.”

Executive Director Jordan Campbell, who was a member of the GCYC in the first year of its inception many years ago, remembers his time fondly and is grateful to be bringing it back to life. “When I was a singer in GCYC, I found a sense of community with other young people from across the county and beyond. It provided an outlet for me that school programs and private lessons couldn’t. I am so proud to be bringing this program back, and I hope the community will support this endeavor as much as they did the first time around several years ago.”

The chorus will start accepting applications from youth in grades 4-8 in 2023 with a slated start in March. More information about the GCYC will be released at a later date.

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