About Voices in Plainfield THE SKILLS YOU LEARN IN CHOIR LAST A LIFETIME.
VIP (formerly Spectrum Youth Singers)
VIP is excited to enter its 11th season, bringing choral music to young singers in grades 3-12.
VIP offers group vocal instruction, individual and small group vocal coaching, and performance opportunities. VIP helps children of all abilities find their voice, grow, and have fun while singing great music. We believe that if a child can speak, they can sing! Our choral rehearsals provide a stimulating and nurturing environment where every singer can grow musically, intellectually, and personally. An audition is required for our main performance group which meets on Tuesday evenings. Our program is supplemented with individualized online classes in musicianship and vocal technique. There are two flagship concerts per year and unique performance opportunities. The goal is joyous singing!
Schedule: VIP grades, 6 - 12, Tuesdays, September 10 2024 - May 2025, 6:30 - 8:00 pm. VIP High School, grades 9-12, continues until 8:30 pm. The High School Choir will provide an enhanced ensemble experience where singers can work on challenging music. Singers are expected to have considerable vocal and sight-reading experience. VIP offers mentored leadership roles to these experienced singers. Singers receive leadership training opportunities to serve as exemplary role models and lead during rehearsal.
In addition to full ensemble rehearsals, each singer receives one-on-one coaching or small group lessons with the Artistic Director several times a semester. Individual musicianship skills, note-reading, and vocal skills are worked on according to the level of each singer. VIP is ideal for students who would like to move to the next level of vocal technique and are self-motivated to practice independently.
VIP Junior, grades 4 - 6, Mondays, January - May 2025, 4:55 - 5:40 pm (no audition required) (Motivated 3rd graders can also be considered. Please email us.)
Plainfield Park District Program "Sing and Shine" VIP offers vocal programs for children ages 8 -11 through the Plainfield Park District; Thursdays, 4:45 - 5:45 pm, January - April 2025. An audition is not required for these programs. Registration is through the Plainfield Park District.
Mission
To enrich the lives of young people through choral music.
VIP Members Learn:
Healthy vocal and breathing techniques
Mindfulness exercises to stay focused and engaged
Musicianship skills, note-reading, music theory
Songs from diverse cultures and traditions
Life skills: empathy, critical thinking, self-awareness, responsibility, commitment
Our Program Includes:
Weekly engaging rehearsals with our skilled conductor and accompanist
Small group lessons and one-on-one coaching
Video and audio resources
Special Projects: meeting composers, connecting with international choirs, serving the community
Collaborations with renowned organizations and musicians; the choir has performed with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra and DuPage Symphony Orchestra.
Leadership opportunities for advanced singers
Development of self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-growth
Dedicated social time so children can connect, build community and have fun!
Artistic Staff
Meet The Director: Oksana Rodak
As a music educator and choral conductor, Oksana Rodak has worked in Canada, the United States, and Europe. Oksana graduated from the University of Toronto, where she received her Bachelor's and Master of Music degrees studying with Dr. Doreen Rao. She obtained a Certificate in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. At the Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine, she studied choral conducting, piano, voice, and bandura. She has been awarded the Artist-Teacher and Master-Teacher Diploma from the CME Institute for Choral Teacher Education. Oksana has held positions as Artistic Director of the Cantate Children's Choir, Conductor with Anima - the Glen Children Chorus, and Coordinator of Children's Music at the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago. She has served as Artistic Director of Young Naperville Singers, where she founded the Boys Choir, the Boys Power Sing, and under her directorship, the choir premiered at Chicago's Orchestra Hall, performed at an American Choral Director's Association Convention, and began touring internationally. Oksana Rodak won the Glenn Gould Memorial Scholarship and the Leslie Bell Conducting Prize.
Oksana's passion is working with young singers and guiding them to find their authentic voice. She believes that ordinary children can achieve extraordinary levels of musicianship. In pursuing excellence, she helps her singers nurture their musical development, self-knowledge, self-esteem, and confidence.
Meet The Accompanist: Heather Reddout
Heather Reddout was sitting at a piano as soon as she was sitting up and started lessons when she was five years old. She has spent the last 15 years playing piano for local church services, weddings, and funerals. Heather has enjoyed accompanying several local school choirs and school musicals, assisting and accompanying students for music contests and auditions. She has loved playing for local theatre projects and has been a part of the VIP and Spectrum Youth Singers family for six years. Life would "B Flat without music!"
Performance Highlights: "Gather in Gratitude" with NaperVoice, Naperville, Nov. 17, 2024 Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Oct 5, 2024 Veteran's Appreciation Event, Plainfield, Oct. 5, 2024
Joliet Slammers, singing the National Anthem, July 25, 2024 Plainfield Township, singing the National Anthem, May 8, 2024 Service Project: Timbers of Shorewood Retirement Community, April 24, 2024 Spectrum Youth Spring Concert, April 21, 2024 Honor Choirs, American Choral Directors Association Midwestern Conference, Omaha, Nebraska, Feb. 7-10, 2024. Plainfield Community Gathering: celebrating unity and diversity, Jan. 27, 2024. Chicago Steel Hockey Game, Jan 27, 2024.
DuPage Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert, Wentz Hall, Naperville, Dec. 17, 2023. Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra Holiday Concert, Ozinga Chapel, Palos Heights, Dec. 9, 2023. Tree Lighting, Plainfield, Nov. 25, 2023. Spectrum Youth Singers Fall Concert, Nov. 12, 2023. Service Projects: Veterans Appreciation Breakfast, Community Hope Day, Nov. 4, 2023; singing at senior homes and medical facilities, Dec. 2023. Illinois ACDA Honor Choir, University of Illinois, Urbana, Oct. 28, 2023
Plainfield Township, singing the National Anthem, June 14, 2023. Joliet Slammers Baseball Game, singing the National Anthem, May 20, 2023. Spectrum Youth Singers Spring Concert, May 6, 2023. Singfest, April 22, 2023. Plainfield Village Hall, singing the National Anthem, March 6, 2023. Service Project, Community Hope Day, March 4, 2023. National Honor Choirs, American Choral Directors Association National Convention, Cincinnati, Ohio, Feb. 22-25, 2023.
DuPage Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert, Dec. 18, 2022. Wentz Hall, Naperville Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra Concert, Dec. 17, 2022. Ozinga Chapel, Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights Holiday Concert, Plainfield, Dec. 10, 2022 Downtown Plainfield, Grinchmas on the Green Tree Lighting Celebration, Nov. 26, 2022. Lincolnway Chorale Holiday Concert, New Lenox, Nov. 20, 2022. Art Without Boundaries International Student Online Conference, Nov. 5, 2022. Children's Choirs Connecting, autumn 2022, online connections with children's choirs form Canada, South Africa, Scotland, India, USA. Service Project, Book Collection for Bernie's Book Bank, Oct. 2022.
Ice Dreams Tour, Centennial Rink, Wilmette, June 5, 2022. SYS sang for Olympic Medalists and US National Champions in figure skating.
Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra Concert, Dec. 11, 2021. Ozinga Chapel, Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, SYS sang for patrons before the concert and joined the orchestra on stage for caroling.
Holiday Concert, Plainfield, Dec. 5, 2021
SYS AT THE LEGENDARY CARNEGIE HALL IN JUNE 2020. Canceled due to Pandemic. SYS at the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra Concert, Dec 21, 2019. Spectrum Singers Holiday Concert, December Downtown Plainfield, Heart of Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration, November Downtown Plainfield, Crèche Lighting, Plymouth Congregational Church, November National Children’s Honor Choir (American Choral Directors Association Conference), Kansas City, Missouri SingFest, A Community Celebration of Song, April, Elmhurst Spectrum Singers Spring Concert, May Plainfield, Plainfield Township Days, September
