AllentownSchool District

Broadway Veteran to Launch Allentown Children’s Chorus Lynnie Godfrey to Audition Youth to Sing in Upcoming Concert

Broadway Veteran to Launch Allentown Children’s Chorus - Lynnie Godfrey to Audition Youth to Sing in Upcoming Concert
Posted on 02/13/2018
Lynnie Godfrey Lynnie Godfrey’s resume includes roles on Broadway, at the Kennedy Center, in television series and on film. Now, is ready to share what she’s learned with a group of Allentown children, who will perform with her in concert. The Lehigh Valley resident is holding auditions for a new “Children’s Chorus” on Saturday, February 24, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 37 S 5th Street in Allentown (www.stjohnsallentown.org).

Children in grades Kindergarten – 5th are eligible to audition. They may sing any song they choose, either a cappella, or if they bring sheet music, an accompanist will be provided.

Auditions and participation is FREE. Approximately 12-15 students will be selected and commit to two rehearsals a month, leading to a performance with Ms. Godfrey at her holiday concert at St. John’s in December, 2018.

“This is not about finding the next contestant for “The Voice,” Godfrey explains. “Enthusiasm is more important than talent. We want to create an opportunity for children who love to sing and will benefit from the experience of performing.”

In addition to rehearsing holiday songs, Godfrey plans to invite guest performers to the rehearsals to teach students about acting, vocal technique and the audition process. She says she was inspired to create the chorus after discovering how little time and funding is allocated to the arts in Allentown schools.

“It came as a shock and I needed to do something about it,” Godfrey explains. “Growing up in Harlem, I attended The Modern School, where arts were infused into everything we did. I always say my ability to memorize a script goes back to learning and reciting poetry for our school festival. No matter what career path, the arts are vital to a child’s education.”

Godfrey, who was recently named President of Friends of Music in Bethlehem, says after seeing the success of that organization’s music education grant program in the Bethlehem schools, she wanted to do something to benefit children in Allentown.

Corporate sponsors are needed underwrite uniforms, sheet music and some other costs of the program and Godfrey says she is grateful to St. John’s Church and the Allentown School District, for partnering on this first-time project.

Last year, Godfrey, who has performed with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, directed two new plays at ArtsQuest in Bethlehem. Her production company, Godlee Entertainment, includes “Essence of Acting,” an African-American acting troupe based in New York City that recently performed “Greenwood: An American Dream Destroyed,” about the 1921 race riot in Oklahoma.

For questions about the chorus auditions, email: [email protected] or visit: lynniegodfrey.com.

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