Community School of the Arts hires new youth choir director; Choir auditions will be held Aug. 18-19

GOSHEN, Ind. – The Goshen College Community School of the Arts (CSA) is pleased to announce and welcome Sandra Hill as the new director of Shout for Joy, a CSA choir for community youth in grades 6-8.

Hill is the 10th director in Shout for Joy's 39-year history. She succeeds Diane Schrock Hertzler, who held the position for the past 11 years. Hill holds a master's degree in vocal performance from the University of Texas-Austin and has performed in many varied settings, including Wisconsin Public Radio's "Live From the Elvehjem." Prior to coming to Goshen, she directed the Conservatory Choraliers, a noted children's choir and part of the Wausau (Wis.) Conservatory of Music that performed widely, including at the White House. Hill is a familiar face in the Goshen community, and has served as the Community School of the Arts voice instructor since 2003.

Shout for Joy has been a fixture in the Goshen community for nearly four decades. Founded in 1969 by Parkside Elementary teacher Marge Pletcher, hundreds of children from the Goshen community have since joined to sing some of the world's finest music, sharing their love of music and enthusiasm with many people.

Participation in Shout for Joy is open to all youth in grades 6-8. The choir rehearses Thursday evenings from 7 to 8:15 p.m. in the Goshen College Music Center. Choral auditions will be held Monday, Aug. 18 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Aug. 19 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Goshen College Music Center. No special preparation is required, although singers may bring along a song of their choice for the audition. Cost is $100 for the year, and financial aid is available. To reserve an audition time, call the Goshen College Music Center Main Office at (574) 535-7361.

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college's Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron's Best Buys in Education, "Colleges of Distinction," "Making a Difference College Guide" and U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" edition, which named Goshen a "least debt college." Visit www.goshen.edu.