Alvin M. Keeling 
A newly formed regional singing group, Omnia Youth Chorale, auditions next month and promises to connect kids with established performers.
The choral group is based in Boerne, but any youngster living in the Hill Country and greater San Antonio area can audition when the trials take place Jan. 9-23.
Rebecca Morgan, founder and co-director of the choir, and two other San Antonio music teachers, Brianne Woodward and Debby Heitzke, decided to form the group after the pandemic shut down their singing communities.
“It was very difficult as a musician (during the pandemic),” Morgan said. “I can’t sing anymore and my bands can’t play anymore. “
The choir is committed to connecting young singers and local artists to create, not just perform, the organizers said, noting that the name, Omnia, means “completely, completely, completely, entirely, all together”.
“Inspiring young people to their greatest potential is the goal of Omnia Youth Chorale,” said Woodward, Co-Director. “This group of artists will learn from each other and from exciting collaborations with professional artists.”
The first of these guests is Andrea “Vocab” Sanders, the current San Antonio Poet Laureate. She will present two workshops with singers from Omnia on “blackout poetry” and help the group create new works of art from the lyrics they sing.
The hope is that the kids will connect with her “as an artist and not just as someone who comes to share the stage,” Morgan said. “We hope to broaden the ideas of young artists on what it means to be a musician and what it means to be an artist and what it means to perform.”
Another local artist, Matt Woodward, who teaches choir at MacArthur High School, will work with the singers of Omnia to transform a simple folk tune into their own arrangement.
Morgan worked with the Children’s Chorus of San Antonio for 20 years and was a member of the group when she was young. His favorite part of the experience was getting to know local composers and artists.
“It’s always been a very powerful part for me,” Morgan said. “Having a discussion about jazz (with a composer), having a workshop together… the performance of it becomes more meaningful and the connection is deeper.”
“Singing and engaging with other artists transforms a child’s life,” she said. “Omnia was founded on the belief that song is more than notes and technique, it is about the artist as a whole. “
The choir will rehearse on Sunday afternoon at St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church in Boerne. To register for an audition, go to www.omniayc.org.
claire.bryan@express-news.net
