The Stetson University Community School of Music’s premier group, the Young Singers, will perform in concert Saturday, May 17, 7:30 p.m., in Lee Chapel inside Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., on Stetson’s DeLand campus.

The School of Music welcomes the public to this performance. Conducted by Sandra Peter, adjunct professor of music, the Young Singers is an auditioned treble choir made up of talented young people from grades two through 10. This group studies and rehearses each year from September through May, and performs each year in December and May.

Saturday’s concert will also include Music Professor David Bjella, cello; and Kathyrn Poore, who teaches violin and viola lessons for the Community School.

Stetson’s Community School of Music, a member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education, is an outreach program of Stetson’s School of Music. Founded in 1985 by Dr. Paul Langston, dean of the School of Music from 1963-1985. It serves all ages, with current enrollment ranging from ages three to 75!  Dr. Ann Small, Music professor emerita, founded the children’s choir that same year. Dr. Jean West was the first director of the Community School; Patrece Robinson was the second director, and Claudia Gatewood, the third.

The four programs under the Community School umbrella include: Orff classes for ages three to nine; the Youth String Orchestra for school-age string players; the Young Singers; and individual private lessons on all orchestral and band instruments, including piano, guitar and harp.

Since 1985, the Community School has been a valuable recruiting tool for Stetson University. People who take classes or attend the Community School recitals and concerts are made aware of Stetson’s offerings. And many who take lessons go on to enroll at Stetson. Stetson music majors also gain invaluable experience teaching for the Community School.

Stetson faculty and staff receive a 10 percent discount on all Community School of Music offerings. Registration for spring lessons begins in December.

Stetson School of Music concert ticket information: $10-adults; $8-seniors; $5-area students. Stetson students, faculty and staff are admitted free of charge with current ID.

Click here to see the Community School’s summer program brochure.

For more information about the Community School of Music, check out the website at www2.stetson.edu/music/community-school, or contact Claudia Gatewood, director, at [email protected].