Choir starts on a high note

Director has grand dreams for new group

It's a fledging group, but with big plans.

The Clark County Children's Choir held its first-ever performance June 15 at the recital hall of Southern Nevada Music, 1881 S. Rainbow Blvd. There were about 75 people in attendance.

But if founder and choral director Holly Steed's vision comes to fruition, the group one day will compete in national festivals, be involved in teaching seminars and travel abroad to appear with major symphonies.

"Some of the children also sing at their schools, some are involved in their church choirs," Steed said. "But, generally, they have them singing folk songs or (simple, easy songs). I'm having them do Handel and Mozart."

Steed established the Clark County Children's Choir in April 2005.

She was formerly the choir director for two area high schools, first Basic, then the Las Vegas Academy.

After the birth of her first child, Steed opted to become office manager of her husband's optometrist office. Cory Steed's business is Insight Eye Care, 3665 S. Fort Apache Road, where the baby, Joshua, has his own play area set up.

Each Wednesday evening during the spring, Holly Steed held rehearsals for the singers at the multipurpose room of Hal Smith Elementary School.

The choir was made up of children ages 6-12 from different schools.

Tammy Bennett's two daughters Bailey, 10, and Camden, 7, are both in the choir.

"It's incredibly tough music for children to do," Bennett said. "I've been so impressed with Holly's ability to get these young children to do three-part harmony."

Leslie Brill's son Rakan, 9, was a student in Steed's class when she taught at his school.

"(Steed)'s so good with children," Brill said. "She actually gets down on the floor so she's at their eye level and then she explains things on their terms."

For the first concert, songs included "Everything is Possible" by Kirby Shaw, "Art Thou Troubled" by Handel and "Promised Land" by Natalie Sleeth.

Steed explained the selected songs were not chosen for any religious reason, they simply reflected an "essential part of a complete and diverse music education."

The group was 17-youngsters strong. The choir was larger initially, but lost five boys when their Boy Scout troop meeting time was switched to the same night of the week.

Because the choir was trying to get off the ground, none of the children who joined in the spring were required to audition. An eagerness to sing was enough to secure membership.

That policy mixed experienced voices with untested ones, making Steed's job all the more challenging, the choir director admitted.

"And I'm a perfectionist," she said.

The policy is expected to change this fall to require auditions.

With the children's ages come the effects of adolescence. Changing male voices will be a constant reality for the choir.

Steed has experience with that and found that, by keeping the young man involved and learning the new limits of his voice, he is more apt to adjust and remain with the choir.

The choir had the summer off, but singing practice will resume Sept. 1.

Interested parties can call Steed at 354-3655, or contact her via e-mail at clarkcountychildrenschoir@hotmail.com for details.