A Brief History of the Choir

History of the Healdsburg/Windsor Children’s Community Choir

The Healdsburg/Windsor Children's Community choir started in Feb 2005. Several parents in Healdsburg and Windsor couldn't find a child friendly children’s choir that focused on stagemanship, and harmonizing in challenging and fun ways, and one that performed on a regular basis. They approached Heather Cullen and asked her to start a choir that did so. Heather's passion for community service required that the choir serve the communities of Healdsburg and Windsor with their music (in other words sing for free).

Since February 2005 this little band of incredible singers has performed over one hundred times, including a fabulous show on children's day at the Sonoma County Fair in 2005 where they sold 17 copies of their first CD after the performance.  The children were thrilled with their efforts and success! They have since cut a Christmas CD and have recorded a Patriotic Show for the July 2009 season on Public TV.

The choir's accompanist is 15year old Lily Max who accompanied the choir when she was 11 for two years and is now back with us!  She is paid for her services.  The Healdsburg/Windsor Children's community choir (yes that's a mouthful) takes the months of July and August off and starts their new season of all new music in September.  They usually perform 8 to 12 times between Thanksgiving and Christmas and about 8 times between February and July. Heather Cullen teaches emerging voices the skills, joy and rewards of performing and singing harmony, oldies, educational music, ethnic music, and sacred music.  If you are not comfortable singing a religious song once in a while, this choir is not for you.

Heather delivers both musical excellence and education while giving children a taste of show business and the joy of performing this musical art form. She is also involved in a special branch of the choir called "Young Women in Harmony". This is an organization that falls under the International adult women's group called Sweet Adelines. It is for young women ages 10 to 20 who want to learn barbershop quartet style music and compete.  The "big sister" chapter in Petaluma is the Red Wood Empire Chorus! Heather would like to start a quartet group for the young men as well.

To schedule the choir for your next function contact Heather as soon as possible as the calendar fills up quickly. Auditions for the choir start the last week in August and the first two weeks in January for children ages 5 to 18.  Don't let the word “audition” worry you.  If you love to sing and can sit through an hour of rehearsal every week you're going to do just great. You MUST commit to be at the performances as they are not optional!

Heather can be contacted at 838-3341.

The following is a representative list of where the choir has performed.

1. Sutter Hospice Tree lighting 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
2. Healdsburg Holiday Festival 2005,2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
3. Windsor Tree lighting Festival 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
4. Healdsburg rotary Christmas Party 2005
5. Sonoma County Fair 2005
6. J-Winery Tasting room 2005, 2006
7. Max Machinery Family Party 2006
8. Windsor Pioneer Day Parade 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011  won first place four years in a row!
9. Westside school graduation 2005
10. Windsor Library 2006-Mozart’s Birthday
11. 4H BBQ 2006, 2007, 2008
12. Arbor Day in Healdsburg 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
13. Santa Rosa Cancer Treatment Center 2005
14. Healdsburg Retirement Center 2007, 2008, 2009
15. Windsor Library Birthday Celebration 2006
16. Chancellor Place 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011
17. Healdsburg young Artist Festival 2007
18. Easter Performance Healdsburg 2006, 2008
19. J Winery Christmas Party 2006
20. Windsor Farmer’s Market 2006
21. Medical Alliance Garden Tour 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
22. Windsor 3^rd of July Fireworks 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
23. Healdsburg 150 Celebration Aug 2007
24. Windsor Business Park Event (by round table pizza) 2008
25. Hiroshima/Nagasaki Memorial in SR 2008, 2009
26. Mazzoco Winery Fundraiser event 2008
27. American Eagle Forum Constitution Day 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
28. Windsor Historical Society reunion 2007, 2008
29. Windsor Historical Society Christmas party 2008
30. Knights of Columbus 2007, 2009
31. Healdsburg Senior center dinner at  Villa Chanticleer 2007
32. Cousteaux Bakery Christmas event 2007
33. Airport Gym in Windsor (Christmas) 2007
34. Lambert Bridge Winery 2009, 2010, 2011
35. Bob Burk’s Kids Christmas Party 2009
36. Santa Rosa Nativity Festival 2010, 2011
37. Vinyard Commons Veterans Day Celebration 2010, 2011
38. Brighton Gardens (several events throughout the year) 2009, 2010
39. Oakmont 2009, 2010
40. Windsor Ed Foundation Tree Lot 2008
41. North County Consortium Fund Raiser 2009, 2010
42. Vineyard commons Memorial Day Celebratin 2011
43. Actor's Theatre For Children (several performances) 2011
44. and many many more!

I can sing AND Dance!

Welcome to the 2011 Choir Season.  We'll be kicking off the season with patriotic songs for Constitution Day at the Double Tree Inn in Rohnert Park!  We'll be learning old and new songs that will be fun for everyone! If you have any favorites you'd like us to learn this year let us know!  I've also purchased some new costumes. Come by to find your size.

I look forward to our first practice on Wednesday, September 8 at 4:40. (Note the odd start time.)

love,

Heather

I love AMERICA

The choir recently recorded a concert for television. Their first "I Love America Concert" was very fun and VERY hot under the lights. A few kids fainted in the heat but revived and came back strong! What troopers. Luckily it wasn't a LIVE performance so with editing it will look and sound GREAT!  Good job guys!  The performance aired on July 4th and 5th on channel 26!  DVD's are available from the AHTV.  We've gotten many wonderful compliments!

St. Patrick's Day with the Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus were so touched by your performance.  I heard MANY compliments and a real appreciation for our patriotic songs!!  Of course our Irish songs were a hit. Way to keep the luck of the Irish singin' in everyone's hearts!

Young Women in Harmony Workshop is a HUGE success

Some of the advanced members of the choir attended the Young Women in Harmony Barbarshop Workshop. They performed with full choreography for a group of almost 700 cheering Sweet Adalines. They even got a standing ovation! Good Job ladies.

Choir Notes

Dear Heather,

What an amazing event Sunday turned out to be.  To hear the beautiful voices from the children’s chorus brought me to tears.  You have done an amazing job bringing those children along.  As you may know, we have the Santa Rosa Children’s Chorus for the Santa Rosa tree lighting and your group was every bit as good as they.   When your kids were singing all I could do was stand there and take it all in.  What a wonderful job you all did.

Please let the children in the chorus and your accompanist know how much we appreciated them being part of this special event.  

Lucy

Lucy Barnett

Donor Relations Officer

Sutter VNA & Hospice Foundation

4th Of July Performance

CD/DVD for SALE

The Healdsburg/Windsor Children's Community Choir has two CD's available.  FILL THE WORLD WITH LOVE is the first CD featuring songs from our very first season.  MERRY CHRISTMAS WITH LOVE is our second CD featuring our third season's selection of music. Now available is our patriotic DVD called "I love America" this was shown on Channel 26 during July 2009.

DVD/CD's are $10 each or two for $15

Contact Heather 707-838-3341 or tyrdnhappy@yahoo.com

and place your order today.