Print the Registration Form, fill it out, and return to indicate your desire to participate in the Mankato Children’s Chorus.
Questions:
Please contact Jeff Adams for further registration information. Scholarships available.
This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council, Waseca, from funds appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature. Member of MACA - Mankato Area Coalition for the Arts.
Leah Ries, Director
Leah began directing the Mankato Children’s Chorus in 2000. She
began the Kodaly based Training and Intermediate Choirs which provides
an early choir opportunity for children in the first through third
grades. She began directing the Melodia Men’s choir in 2003. She has
been a music educator for 22 years in Oklahoma and Minnesota teaching
elementary, middle school, and jr. high general and choral music. She
has been an adjucator and workshop presenter and is currently teaching
elementary music in the Mankato Public Schools
After completing a Bachelor of Music Education from Oklahoma
Christian University in Oklahoma City, she completed a Kodaly
Certification with emphasis in choral conducting at the University of
Oklahoma. She founded the Northern Hills Honor Choir in Edmond,
Oklahoma which was selected to sing at the 1992 Oklahoma Music
Educators Association annual conference in Oklahoma City. She also
worked with Robert J. Ward and the Stillwater Boys Choir in Stillwater,
Oklahoma.
Leah and her husband Barry and children Michael and Carissa currently live in Mankato.
Barbara Murphy Frank,
Director
Barbara Murphy Frank taught 28 years in San Antonio, TX and
retired from Driscoll MS in Northeast ISD in May of 2008! Under her direction,
the choirs at Driscoll earned over 30 Sweepstakes awards in MS UIL Contests and
individual students earned many TMEA Region Honor Choir positions and First
Division medals in District Solo and Ensemble Contests. Under her direction,
the DMS Mixed Choir, Treble Choir, and Tenor-Bass Choir performed for the Texas
Music Educators Association as demonstration groups with Dr. Robert Ward in
2002; the Driscoll Treble Choir performed at TMEA as an invited group in 2001; the
Stevenson MS Mixed Choir from Northside ISD performed at TMEA as a
demonstration choir in 1990; and the Stevenson MS Treble Choir performed at
TMEA as an invited group in 1988. During her tenure in Texas, Mrs. Frank served
music organizations at the district, region, state and division level,
including MS/JH Vice-President for the Texas Choral Directors Association.
Currently, Mrs. Frank is serving part-time as Director of
Music at the Catholic Church of St. Peter and in August will be joining Mankato
East Jr. High Music Department to launch the 7th Grade Choir
program. Mrs. Frank is active as a Clinician, UIL adjudicator, Workshop
presenter and Teacher mentor. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree
and a Masters of Music in Performance from Minnesota State University.
Barbara and her husband, Richard, and brother, Gregory reside
in Nicollet, where they are in the process of renovating the church on MN111.Ms. Frank is excited about her affiliation
with the MCC organization and looks forward to the 2009-2010 season.
