Education Outreach

The Northwest Sacred Music Chorale takes very seriously its role as one of the foremost arts organizations in the country. We use our position to help shape the future of young people by encouraging music education and by developing and strengthening ties with our surrounding community. In so doing, we seek to shape and influence the future of music education in classrooms and neighborhoods, in North Idaho and the Pacific Northwest.

The Northwest Sacred Music Chorale sponsors a Young Artist Competition and will sponsoring this event again next season.

Education and Community Programs

The Education and Community Programs envisioned by the Chorale are aimed at focusing attention on our charge to "educate, inspire and entertain" existing and future audiences. The Chorale seeks to support a progressive music education approach by supporting existing standards for music education, assisting in the development of music education rubrics and curriculum, and providing support for the implementation of federal, state, and local music education standards.

In communities throughout North Idaho, our goal is for teachers will work with NWSMC Education volunteers to study and evaluate the effectiveness of current music education practices. Teachers, students and education administrators can benefit from long-term mentoring relationships with NWSMC musicians.

As a complement to other music education initiatives, the Education and Community Programs office supports a cohesive learning experience through future programs such as Youth and Family Concerts and Days in the Arts.

Concert Schedule

November 3, 2007 7:30 PM and November 4, 2007, 2:00 PM

Our Fall Concert features selections from the John Rutter's Requiem, Mortin Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna, Johaness Brahms' A German Requiem, Mount of Olives by Ludwig van Beethoven, John Rutter's Gloria, and of course Handel's Messiah, at works by Gabnriel Faure, Felix Mendelssohn, local favorite Dan Bukvich, and other contemporary composers, and you'll experience a true "best of" concert.

December 19, 2007, 7:00 PM at a new venue -> St. Pius Catholic Church, 625 Haycraft Ave., in Coeur d'Alene

Our Christmas concert, "Come Home to the Sounds and Spirit of Christmas" will feature a wide variety of favorites performed by the Chorale, and once again we'll be joined by special guest artists Leslie Stratton Norris, harp, Dr.Paul Grove, guitar, Max Mendez, baritone, Cynthia Marlette, piano and the harmonies of the Sweet Adelines. There will no doubt be a surprise guest or two.

April 19, 2008, 7:30 PM and April 20, 2008, 2:00 PM

Gospel and other forms of contemporary sacred music, such as jazz, have always been audience favorites, so we're going to feature those genres in our final concert this season. The concert will be built around Michael Kissinger's Sacred Cantata, which features a number of different musical styles, from gospel to ballad to country, all done with a light jazz flair. We'll be rounding things out with other jazz and contemporary anthems, as well as a set of hand-clapping gospel pieces.