by Leisa Parsons, Area Media Specialist
For 20 years the Texas Children’s Choir has delighted thousands of listeners all over the world with their clear, sweet voices. Preparing for their second concert since before Covid, the choir will perform this Saturday afternoon at the Church of Jesus Christ in Windcrest (8801 Midcrown). The choir will be heading off to Hawaii next month to perform at the 80th commemoration of the Battle of Midway.
The director, Dr. Thomas G. Hardaway, a member of the East Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has a passion for music and loves working and teaching children. As a child, he was a choir boy at the National Cathedral. He loved his experience and wants to share it with as many children as possible. As his life would attest, Hardaway loves children. He worked in the Army as a child psychiatrist and pediatrician. Wherever he was stationed with the Army, he managed to set up a children’s choir. The now retired Colonel set up the San Antonio Children’s choir in 2002.
The choir isn’t just about teaching children to sing, it is also about imbuing them with a sense of service and community. At the core of the choir is their emphasis on service. Except for their Spring Concert, all of their performances are by invitation from civic groups, the military, educational groups and other charities. The quality of their choral music has garnered them requests from all over the world, as well as closer to home. The Choir has performed before presidents in Washington D.C. Other performances have taken them to Omaha Beach in Normandy France, the Ely Cathedral in London, Kings College in Cambridge and to Carnegie Hall in New York. They have also appeared on Music and the Spoken Word with the Tabernacle Choir.
Like many organizations, the choir took a hit with Covid. Their numbers, usually around 50 children, currently stand at 29. They would love to add more voices to their ranks. The choir features alto and soprano voices. The age of the choir members ranges from eight to 18 for the girls, and for the boys, until their voice changes. They are holding open auditions each week right after their rehearsals. They welcome anyone to come and sit through a rehearsal and see if it is a good fit. If it looks like something they’d love to try, they can audition right then. Rehearsals are held every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:15 until 6:55 pm at Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church (16245 Nacogdoches Rd).
