Performances by a newly formed youth choir made possible, in part, with funding from a Dare County-based public charity, have been lined up well into the New Year.
The Outer Banks Youth Choir will perform at the 10:30 a.m. worship services at St. Andrew’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church on Feb. 22, March 22, and May 10.
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The choir, which continues to accept new members ages 9-19, is also scheduled to hold a spring concert on June 7.
The youth choir, which received a grant from the Outer Banks Community Foundation, or OBCF, performed its inaugural Yuletide Concert on Dec. 14 at the church and led by Dare County Schools music teacher John Buford.
In 2023, St. Andrew’s Rector Nathan Finnin approached Buford about directing a youth choir at the church. But the idea was put on hold while Buford battled cancer, according to a foundation release.
Upon his recovery, Buford revisited the idea, this time proposing that the choir be opened to children across the Outer Banks, “fulfilling his goal of leading a group that included all of the ages that he loves to teach,” the release states.
“There’s something about a child’s voice that’s so pure and beautiful, so when you combine it with the older voices, it sounds really good and it works wonderfully,” Buford stated in the release.
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“Being able to partner with OBCF not only showcases the good work they do, but it gives us a wider audience because now, people who are plugged into the work of the Outer Banks Community Foundation, are able to learn about us,” Finnin stated in the release. “It’s really a mutually beneficial relationship.”
The choir practices once a week at the church and provides worship music during Sunday services once a month. Additional information, including how to join the choir, is available at https://sites.google.com/view/outerbanksyouthchoir/home.
Grants from the foundation help fund local needs in Dare County as well as across all Outer Banks communities, from Corolla to Ocracoke Island.
OBCF encourages nonprofits to visit the foundation’s website for guidelines, eligibility criteria, and the application portal. Staff may be contacted at 252-423-3003.
The foundation’s next grant application is for Community Enrichment Grants. The application deadline is Jan. 30.
Early submissions are encouraged to allow time for review and feedback.
