It's been a busy time for the Voices for the Performing Arts! We are currently gearing up for our annual Spring Benefit Concert on May 18 and 19th at 7:30pm in the Sherwood High School PAC. This year's event will feature our choirs, a big band and Dave Sweeney in a format more akin to a theatrical performance. The show will transport you to the 1940's and back with a tribute to the music from those significant eras and a nod to the different modes of communicating music: from theater to radio, albums, television and more. This show will have a little bit of something for everyone. We hope you will come support the arts and enjoy the show.

On March 16th the VPA showcased its programs in a free concert at the Sherwood High School PAC. All four of our choirs (Children's Choir, Footnotes, Notables and the Sherwood Chorale) and our new strings program performed selections from their current repertoire. It was amazing to see just how much they had learned in such a short time. Robyn Folsom, Vice President of the VPA, spoke to the crowd about the important causes the VPA supports---such as providing scholarships to graduating seniors involved in the performing arts and giving grants to the schools. Cindy Christensen, VPA President and Artistic Director discussed the evolution of the VPA and the expansion of the choirs to educate children from beginning level to advanced. She also expressed gratitude for the groundswell of support for the new strings program that began last fall. The parent council arranged a very nice reception following the show serving treats and drinks to everyone.

On February 25th, the VPA sponsored the Small Town, Big Talent Contest. It was impressive to see such a wide array of talent from our community including clogging, interpretive dance, instrumentalists and singers to a stand-up comic. The contestants who performed that night were selected from a larger pool of entrants and all were up for the challenge and had a love for what they do. Audience members texted their winning choices and a distinguished panel of judges cast their votes. The judge panel consisted of Heather Cordie, Superintendent of the Sherwood School District, Tom Pessemier, Pro Tem City Manager for Sherwood, Phil McGuigan, President of the Robin Hood Festival and Dana Edvalson, founding member of West Linn/Wilsonville School District Music and Arts Partners. Winners in the Youth category were (first through third place, respectively) Jaidah Moullet-Dozier, Ayla Ashcroft and the Sorrell sisters (Sabrina and Summer Sorrell). The Adult category winners were Carlswell, the Christensen brothers (Tayler and Collin Christensen) and Megan Prehm. In the Group category, winners were Wild Rose Trail, the Quatama Cloggers and Bella Cantante. The event revealed the hidden talents of our neighbors and classmates and was a celebration of the joy the arts brings to each of us as well as the many ways in which that joy can be expressed. Our business community generously supported the event with raffle donations from Polar Bear Yogurt, Sweet Story, Curves, It's All Arranged, Pacific Family Dental and Dave's Killer Bread. The event was a shining example of the community coming together to do something great. We are very thankful to everyone who participated, attended, and gave of their time and expertise to make the show such a success.

If you'd like to learn more about the VPA or make a donation, please visit our website at vpafoundation.org.