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Children Lift Voices Sunday

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By JOYCE McKENZIE

jmckenzie@tampatrib.com

Published: February 25, 2009

TEMPLE TERRACE - Over the last 20 years they have performed in England, Scotland, France, Austria, Canada, New York City and Washington, D.C.

Although they are not professionals in the sense that they are paid, those who have witnessed their concerts rank them as tops among their peers in the world of young amateur artists.

They are the members of the Tampa Bay Children's Chorus.

The chorus is a nonprofit organization generally open to students in grades three through 12 who are selected by audition and who also perform locally with the Florida Orchestra, the Master Chorale, the Tampa Oratorio Society and with the University of South Florida choirs and orchestras.

Under the direction of Averill Summer, who founded the group in 1989, the chorus will perform Sunday as part of the 2008-09 concert series at St. Catherine's Episcopal Church in Temple Terrace.

The program is titled "A Call for Peace" and the chorus's selections will include songs such as "Let There Be Peace on Earth" and other pieces Summer says have "a lot of depth."

"The tougher times get, the more we need concerts like this," said Summer, a USF associate professor of piano and concert pianist who has performed with the Florida Orchestra, the Lakeland Imperial Symphony Orchestra and the Tampa Bay Symphony.

Summer, a longtime Temple Terrace resident who now lives in Tampa Palms, has sung in performances directed by several renowned choral conductors including Robert Shaw, Sir David Willcocks and Doreen Rao.

Briana Bursten, 13, a Temple Terrace resident and seventh-grader at Terrace Community Middle School, was accepted into the chorus when she was in the first grade.

"She loves it, and it's a commitment she would never give up," said her mother, Mindy Bursten. "It has given her leadership, some wonderful opportunities, and it's an experience she'll never forget."

Sandy Windham drives her two grandnieces, Jessica, 14, and Ashley Mellor, 13, to practice every Monday from their home in New Port Richey.

"It's helped their self-esteem and confidence, and it has exposed them to cultural experiences they would not have otherwise," said Windham, who also serves as treasurer on the organization's board of directors. "It's a very important part of their lives."

"I believe in what Averill is doing and her commitment to the children," said board member Liz Affronti, wife of Temple Terrace Mayor Joe Affronti.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Tampa Bay Children's Chorus concert

WHERE: St. Catherine's Episcopal Church, 502 Druid Hills Road, Temple Terrace

WHEN: 4 p.m. Sunday

COST: free, but donations are welcomed

INFORMATION: (813) 988-6483

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849.

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