After a quarter of a century of leading the Chanticleer Children’s Chorus, Sarah Carr Parson stepped went out with a bang when she gathered former students from all over the country for a finale concert two years ago. Parsons started the elite children’s choir program for the area and after stepping down from her directors position two years ago, passed the reigns to Adam Loudin, who directs and teaches band and choir in Lewis County.

 

During the transition, the Chanticleer Children’s Chorus joined forces as one of the many choirs associated with the Appalachian Children’s Chorus in Charleston.  The torch has now been passed to Dr. Dan Hughes, who is now the artistic director for the Chanticleer Children’s Chorus, which is now taking applications.

 

“I know how important the chorus has been to the Bridgeport community, as well as the surrounding counties over the years,” said Hughes.  “I am excited to work with all the young talent in the area.”

 

Hughes is currently working as the Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor at West Virginia Wesleyan College.  He has worked with students from kindergarten through college as a voice instructor in Ohio, New York, Michigan, Illinois, and West Virginia. His wife, Katherine, will be assisting with the Chanticleer Children’s Chorus also. Her background includes musical theatre, where she has done several national tours of Broadway musicals.

 

Chanticleer has four choirs.  The Training Ensemble is for Pre-K through first grade.  The Preparatory Ensemble is for second through sixth grades.  The Chamber Choir is a treble ensemble for students in grades six through twelve and the Young Men’s Ensemble is for young men with changed voices in grades seven through twelve.  The choirs sing two or three events each year.

 

Those interested can contact Dr. Dan Hughes at 347-706-8300 or hughes_r@wvwc.edu.  Rehearsals will be held on Tuesdays at Horizons Church in Lost Creek.  The Training and Preparatory Ensembles will rehearse from 5:00-5:30p.m., The Chamber Ensemble will rehearse from 6:00-7:30p.m., and the Young Men’s Ensemble joins Chamber as a mixed choir from 7:00-7:30p.m. then rehearses on their own from 7:30-8:00p.m.

 

Applicants can arrange a time to audition with the Hughes duo and find out more information by locating them on Facebook under the group Chanticleer Children’s Chorus of West Virginia.