Shine is getting ready to launch a new ensemble for ages 12 and up, and we need some help thinking of a name for it! It would be great if it had the word Shine in the title (but that's not 100% required). If you tell us a name and we end up using it, we'll send you a surprise gift!

Our new ensemble is slated to launch some time this coming season (at first open only to current Shine singers), and then expand in September 2012 to include new singers by audition as well. Ensemble singers will have the opportunity to prepare more complex music, while exercising a higher level of leadership and creative control. In keeping with the Shine Children's Chorus philosophy, this older ensemble will focus on teamwork and authentic artistic expression, with the added feature of "solo workshops" where singers can develop their solo singing skills in a safe and supportive environment.

Looking forward to this exciting expansion! And to seeing what names you come up with!

December was a busy month for Shine, and now we are all resting and enjoying the holidays, proud of what we accomplished in what was definitely our best season yet!

We had a great time at the Festival of Giving with Radio Disney on December 4th. It felt good to help support their efforts to collect goods for local charities, and as a bonus it gave us a chance to polish up our songs in front of an audience before our big concert the following week.

December 11th was our Winter Concert, with special guests The Green Note from PSU, and it was a huge success, a really fun and memorable night for everyone involved. I've been uploading video from our Shine video camera (which was mounted on a tripod the whole time, so don't expect too much fancy camerawork, or any for that matter...) onto our YouTube channel. Check it out, or watch below-- our best yet version of Fireflies by Owl City.

The Tuesday after our concert, a group of our singers made a special appearance at the DHS (Department of Human Services) Christmas Party for Foster Children. We sang a selection of songs from our repertoire, and then had a round of caroling, inviting everyone there to join in. It was a really nice way to end the season, and I was told that our being there was an inspiration to many.

To cap off our action-packed season of singing, we had a Holiday Karaoke Party at Voicebox, a really great option for karaoke singing with friends, as they have private rooms and a fantastic song collection. Our singers had a LOT of fun, and I think we might make this a Shine tradition!

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, I've been holding auditions for new members who will join us in January, working on arrangements of new songs for our repertoire, and putting together the plans for some exciting new projects!

Wishing everyone a very happy holiday season and all the best in 2012!