County Kids Go to Europe for a Song

Learning the words to the latest pop song may be a walk in the park for most kids, but try asking them to sing it in German, Chinese or Latin.

For the 38 kids who make up the Ventura Master Chorale Children’s Concert Choir, learning to sing in different languages is just one of many tasks.

Their reward: Not only does the group of 9- to 16-year-olds get to present concerts throughout the year in Ventura County, but they left for Europe on July 29 to perform in the International Children’s Choir Festival, which ends Tuesday.

“You get to meet so many people from all over,” 15-year-old Stephanie Carr of Oxnard said before she left. “When we all sing together, it sounds amazing.”

She and her brother, Scott, who have been in the choir for four years, were part of the group that traveled to Italy for the group’s first international foray in July 2000.

This time around, the group is part of an eight-choir ensemble from the United States performing in England at Canterbury Cathedral and at London’s Westminster Central Hall. Their program will range from a work by 18th century composer William Boyce to a piece by contemporary composer John Rutter.

The Ventura group, which was invited to perform, is led by Marcene Camp Jardine, and is one of two choirs from California taking part.

Burns Taft, director of the county’s Master Chorale since 1980, said the youths should learn a lot from the trip.

“Marcene’s group is very good--they wouldn’t sing with the Master Chorale if they weren’t--but children need to hear other choirs,” Taft said. “They can see what the standard is and they get validation for what they are doing.”

Parents supply both emotional and financial support. The cost for the trip is $2,200 per member, paid for in part through fund-raisers.

“The number of children Marcene gets to go is really quite impressive,” Taft said. A large number of parents accompanied the group.

Out of the choir’s 38 members, 27 went to England. Camp Jardine said many of the members who didn’t go are older and have summer jobs.

Taft and choir accompanist Mary Canfield spearheaded the effort to start a children’s choir in Ventura. Taft said Camp Jardine was the obvious choice to direct it because she combines a professional singing background with 20 years of experience teaching music in Oxnard.

For her part, Camp Jardine said she never expected to be working with kids.

“I never played teacher as a child growing up,” said Camp Jardine, whose own singing background varied widely. “I just wanted to be the best singer in the world, like so many others. I never thought I would find myself immersed in kids, but I love it.” Her teaching style and love for what she is doing have made the weekly practices fun for the young choir members.

While most kids are spending their summers at the beach or going to the movies, Stephanie said going to choir practice gives her a chance to hang out with her friends.

“It seems like it would be a lot of work to learn all of the songs, but for me it’s something I really like to do,” said Stephanie, who will be a junior at La Reina High School in Thousand Oaks. “I like to practice when I’m in the shower and when I’m in the car. It gives me a break from my hectic life and I just flow through it.”

Choir isn’t the only extracurricular activity for Stephanie and her 13-year-old brother; they have been taking piano and tennis lessons since they were 3 years old. On top of that, she volunteers at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura twice a week, and Scott takes guitar lessons.

“My mom really pushes us not to sit around and watch TV, and sometimes it can be kind of annoying,” Scott said. “But she helps me practice singing at home by playing the piano for me and my sister. I try to practice at least twice a week on my own.”

In England, the choir will be performing a mix of contemporary and classic songs.

“I have to work hard to learn the music, but it’s fun,” said 10-year-old Allie Morris of Ventura, who is completing her first year in the group.

As a parent of two choir members, Ana Hernandez Carr said she is happy her children are doing something they enjoy, but she looks beyond the fun and views the choir as a wonderful opportunity.

“Culturally, it’s an eye-opener for them,” said Hernandez Carr, who made the trek to Europe with her kids.

Auditions for the choir are held in August and December. For more information, contact Camp Jardine at 983-0913. Tuition is $110 per semester.

In addition to weekly practices, the choir performs a handful of concerts each year. The next one is scheduled for December at the Church of Religious Science in Ventura.