J. D. Steele to Lead New Downtown Choir
Monday, October 5, 2015 at 9:06AM
By Joan Bennett:
A free Downtown community choir, with J.D. Steele at the helm, launches this fall. The Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA), MacPhail Center for Music and Emanuel Housing have partnered to bring this new choir to life. Singers of all abilities (or inabilities) are welcome. If you enjoy singing in the shower or at karaoke bars, then you are fully qualified to join.
In this choir, building relationships between neighbors will matter just as much as the music. The DMNA seeks to foster a range of free opportunities for neighbors to connect. Initially proposed by a resident of Emanuel Housing, the DMNA Board unanimously agreed to fund the administrative costs of the choir as well as allocate staff time to coordination. A member of the DMNA community, who wishes to remain anonymous, came forward with a donation to cover the cost of rehearsal space.
When the DMNA and Emanuel Housing approached MacPhail with the idea for a downtown community choir, staff were enthusiastic. MacPhail then upped the ante by securing J.D Steele, a nationally recognized musician and producer, to direct the group. Though he has spent much of his career working with highly decorated musicians, J.D. Steele is known for his ability to bring the best out of novices and currently leads MacPhail Community Youth Choir.
Rehearsals are scheduled for 2:00-3:30 on Saturdays on October 24th, 31st, November 7th, 14th, December 5th, and 12th at First Covenant Church (810 S. 7th Street). Contact Joan.Bennett@thedmna.org to pre-register. All are welcome. Registration is free.
