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August 16, 2010
Friends and Supporters of OYC:
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Eileen Hansen as OYC’s Interim Executive Director. As we look forward to the beginning of the school year, we hope you will join OYC’s Board of Directors in welcoming Eileen to our community.
As an organization development consultant, Eileen comes to OYC with a long history of working with nonprofits in the Bay Area. Her specialty is in working as an Interim Executive Director with organizations that are in periods of transition and growth. She has the skills and the experience to assist us in strengthening our sustainability as an organization; raise new funds and find new supporters in the community; work with a broad range of staff and board members; and when we are ready, recruit a new Executive Director for OYC. She will be with us during this transitional period, somewhere between six and twelve months.
Eileen is excited to see the chorus programs get underway for the new season and is looking forward to meeting the teachers and the singers and their families. She was at the Festival celebrating our 35th Anniversary (even before she started at OYC!) and is eagerly anticipating the December 11 date when our choruses perform.
Eileen has already been hard at work with both Board and Staff in helping us plan for this year. She will soon be reaching out to you to introduce herself and discuss how you might be willing to help OYC move to its next level of development and growth. Please think about that. We need your continued support and ideas as to how OYC can continue to thrive as an organization now in its 36th year. If you’d like to reach Eileen directly, feel free to contact her at 510.287.9700, ext. 103, or eileen@oaklandyouthchorus.org. If OYC doesn’t have your email address, please send it to Eileen – we need to know how to reach you both by phone and email.
Thank you for your love of OYC! The Board of Directors sends you our very best wishes for a successful and fun school year.
Warmly,
Rebecca Austin
President, Board of Directors
April 1, 2010
Dear OYC Community:
It is with mixed emotions that I will be leaving my position as the Executive Director of OYC as of April 10. I am excited to be taking on a new challenge as the Chief Professional Officer of the Boys and Girls Clubs of North San Mateo County, but I am sad to leave the staff, board, children and youth, and greater community family of OYC. It has been a wonderful experience getting to see and hear all of the fantastic performances by OYC children, youth and teaching-artists during this time, and to have music be a part of my job. It has been equally wonderful to get to know many of you, and to know what a community of supporters that OYC has.
Jessica Manta-Meyer has been named Acting Interim Executive Director until the OYC board appoints an Interim Executive Director.
I have great faith that the board and staff of OYC will carry on its mission to bring music into the lives of many children and youth who would not otherwise know the joy of making music with others. I also have faith in you, and know that you will continue to support this important work through OYC’s transition to a new executive director. Thanks for all you have done, and for all you will continue to do.
Sharon
Founded in 1974, the Oakland Youth Chorus (OYC) provides a multi-cultural music education and performance program for youth, fostering talent, confidence and community.
Our mission focuses on creating and sustaining programs of high artistic merit that are accessible to and supportive of children and youth who might otherwise not be able to experience the joy of making music with others.
OYC trains youth to learn and perform a varied repertoire, supporting the Oakland community’s rich artistic diversity by providing community-based music education programs that reflect the cultural richness of our city. OYC youth develop self-confidence, a knowledge of the music of several cultures, and a lifelong love of music.
OYC programs build multicultural understanding and respect, intentionally bringing together Oakland youth across lines of class, race, and culture. Our highly experienced teaching staff has authentic experience living, teaching, and performing around the world, and is skilled in the music of Latin America, the African Diaspora, Europe, and North America in particular. OYC has thoughtfully established a culturally diverse repertoire that teaches the historical and social context of music, enhancing the understanding of and respect for diverse cultural traditions and heritages.
"My daughter is a member of OYC’s Middle School Magic. She started with OYC as a Miracle singer when she was in second grade. OYC opened a world of music for her. She not only learned about music from many cultures, she also learned to appreciate music, to read it and also to enjoy all types of music. Those things alone are great benefits to having her participate in OYC, but she and I would agree, that above all she has learned to find her voice – not only musically, but also personally. Being part of OYC has helped her build self-confidence and appreciate the value of camaraderie and friendship. She has met new friends, a group of young people that may not have much else in common, but who share a common interest in music and singing that brings them together."
--- OYC Parent
“…for me, singing sometimes feels like flying. In one performance with OYC I sang so hard and with such happiness that tears began to slide down my cheeks. Needless to say, this is not my everyday experience, and I think it speaks to how much singing with OYC means to me.”
--- Julia Gonzalez
OYC alumna
"The first time I attended an OYC concert I saw kids who were not only
talented, but enthusiastic, confident, and diverse. They literally lit
up the room with their joyful noise. If you ever want to recharge all of
your batteries, and experience the beautiful multicultural richness that
is Oakland, come to an OYC concert. I dare you not to clap along."
--- C.J Hirschfield
Executive Director
Children's Fairyland