A New Song for Local Children

Narrowing budgets have forced local school districts to cut funding for music programs, but one woman is bringing the music back.

Jennifer Carini, the choir teacher at Union City’s Cesar Chavez Middle School, is the founder of the Tri-City Children’s Choir, a brand new choral program for local kids.

The choir will be made up of children in grades 2-6. Kindergartners and first graders with very good reading skills may be allowed in, too.

Carini came up with the concept last September after failing to find a local choir for her young daughter, Olivia, to join. She decided to start one on her own in hopes of benefiting her daughter and other young singers in the area.

“I think it’s a good opportunity for the community to get some singing education,” she said.

Her overall goal is to ensure that the choir represents the different cultures and beliefs of the Tri-Cities Area and offer music education that has been limited at the schools.

”I understand that school districts have to cut things and I think that parents should have another option for their kids that isn’t so expensive,” she said.

While other recreational programs can cost more than $100, Carini said she offers the new choir for $50 per month. If the price is still unaffordable, she encourages parents to come talk with her to work something out.

Rehearsals will be held at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Fremont, which offered the space free of charge, but the program isn't otherwise affiliated with the church, Carini said.

The creation of the choir comes after the elimination of music programs at Newark Unified School District’s elementary and junior high schools and a threat to cut music programs at New Haven Unified School District.

Carini said she feels it is wise to offer the opportunity to join a children’s choir in an otherwise band-dominated area.

“Bands are more popular in this area, but they cost money. You’ve got to get that instrument,” she pointed out. “Singing is free. You carry [your voice] with you; you can’t lose it, you can’t forget it at home.  Singing is a great option. It’s something you’ll carry for the rest of your life. We all sing along to the radio, so doing it in a group is a really cool thing to do.”

She hopes to teach a diverse selection of music, from classics and pop to folk songs that may be in Tagalog, Chinese, Arabic and Hebrew.

It’s not that hard to sing in a foreign language. Just learn how to pronounce it and do it,” she explained. 

But it’s not just about speaking another language. Carini said she will explore the meanings of songs, too.

“We don’t just sing and not talk about it.  But I really want to do a lot of songs that represent the culture of this area because it’s so diverse and multi-cultural and I think it’s really important to really represent that,” she said.

The hope is to hold Tri-City Children’s Choir performances twice a year at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church. Dates are yet to be determined.

As an alumna of West Minster College, a choir college in New Jersey, Carini feels her education has prepared her well to take on the challenge of starting up a choir.

Sign-ups for the Tri-City Children’s Choir will take place on Sept. 6 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 2791 Driscoll Rd., Fremont. For more information, click here.