More Than a Choir
On July 17, a room full of people will gather at The Pearl in downtown Columbus to sing.
By Monica Jones
Some will be experienced musicians. Some will be former choir kids. Some will know exactly what they’re doing. Others may be stepping into a choir for the first time. There will be food, drinks, laughter, a little friendly competition, and a room full of people making a case for their favorite song in this year’s Genre Showdown.
The Second Annual Big Sing benefits Voices of the Valley Children’s Chorus, helping provide scholarships and opportunities for young singers throughout the Chattahoochee Valley. Spend a little time talking with Dr. Michelle Folta, artistic director of Voices of the Valley Children’s Chorus, however, and it becomes clear that the evening reflects something much larger than a single fundraising event.
A few weeks ago, Voices of the Valley singers stood on the stage at Carnegie Hall. It’s the sort of accomplishment many organizations would gladly spend an entire conversation discussing. Folta mentions it, certainly, but she rarely stays there for long. Throughout our conversation, the focus repeatedly returned to people, friendships, community, and the relationships formed through making music together.
When I asked why she created The Big Sing, Folta talked about scholarships, outreach, and expanding opportunities for children. Then she paused and offered another reason.
“To be frank, I miss my choir,” she said.
It was a moment that explained a great deal, and revealed something essential about the organization she has spent years building.
For nearly two decades, Voices of the Valley has brought together children from public and private schools, homeschool programs, military families, and communities across the region. They arrive with different experiences and different backgrounds, but they quickly become part of something larger than themselves.
The music, Folta says, is the vessel.
What happens inside that vessel is where Voices of the Valley distinguishes itself. Rehearsals often begin with good news, giving students a chance to celebrate one another’s accomplishments. Singers learn to encourage each other, support each other, and take ownership of the community they are helping build. Older students mentor younger ones. Friendships form. Confidence grows. Leadership develops. Along the way, children discover that being part of a choir involves far more than learning notes and rhythms.
Folta spoke often about moments most audiences never see. A student helping another singer adjust a bow tie before a performance. A chorister quietly solving a problem before an adult even notices it. Young people learning how to encourage one another instead of competing. Those stories tell you as much about Voices of the Valley as any concert program or trophy shelf ever could.
The same philosophy extends beyond the choir room. When donors help provide scholarships, students write thank-you notes. They introduce themselves. They learn that opportunities are often made possible by people willing to invest in them and their future. The lesson is simple but important: nobody gets where they are alone.
That sense of connection may also explain why Voices of the Valley continued to grow. What began as a single choir gradually expanded as singers looked for ways to remain involved. Students grew older and wanted to continue singing. Younger siblings wanted opportunities of their own. Alumni wanted to stay connected. Rather than viewing those requests as a natural ending point, Folta kept creating opportunities, adding new choirs and new pathways for participation whenever a need arose.
“I had to keep making choirs because they wouldn’t leave,” she says with a laugh.
Behind the humor is a reality many organizations would love to have. People tend to stay connected to places where they feel welcomed, valued, and supported. Over the years, Voices of the Valley has become that kind of place for many singers and families because Folta has consistently found ways to make room for them.
That brings us back to The Big Sing.
Now in its second year, the event invites participants ages 14 to 99 to gather for an evening of music, food, community, and a little friendly rivalry. One rehearsal. One performance. Familiar songs. Audience participation, and plenty of opportunities for laughter. This year’s Genre Showdown will pit musical favorites from different generations against each other, and attendees will even have a chance to unlock a secret Oscar-winning song if fundraising goals are met.
The atmosphere is intentionally relaxed. Last year, Folta’s husband found himself singing in the choir despite having no formal choir experience. During another fundraising challenge, she ended up riding piggyback across the stage while conducting. The stories are entertaining, but they also reinforce something that surfaced repeatedly throughout our conversation. For all of the musical excellence Voices of the Valley is known for, there is very little pretense. The standards are high, the environment is welcoming, and participation is celebrated.
By the end of our conversation, I found myself thinking less about the event and more about the community behind it. The Big Sing may be the reason people gather on July 17, but it reflects something Voices of the Valley has been building for years. In many ways, the fundraiser feels like a reflection of the organization itself: joyful, welcoming, and built around the simple idea that there is always room for one more voice.
The Second Annual Big Sing takes place July 17 at The Pearl, 1040 Broadway in Columbus. Open to participants ages 14 to 99, the event includes one rehearsal on July 16, with registration covering music and a commemorative T-shirt. Proceeds benefit Voices of the Valley Children’s Chorus scholarship programs and outreach initiatives.
For tickets and additional information, visit GetLocalTix.com. Readers can also follow Voices of the Valley Children’s Chorus on social media for updates, performances, and upcoming programs.
