Welcome to Spectrum Youth Singers!
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Who We Are
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Artistic Staff
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Rehearsal Info and Safety
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Spectrum Youth Singers (SYS) is excited to be entering its 8th season bringing choral music to young singers in grades 3-12. SYS offers group vocal instruction, individual and small group vocal coaching, and performance opportunities. SYS 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 groups which meet on Tuesday evenings. Our program is supplemented with individualized online classes in musicianship and vocal technique on Friday evenings. There are two flagship concerts per year and other performance opportunities. The goal is joyous singing!
Schedule: grades 6 - 10, Tuesdays, 7:00 - 8:15 pm; High School Choir, Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:15 pm.
High School Choir will provide an enhanced ensemble experience where singers can work on sophisticated repertoire in a professional setting. Singers are expected to have considerable vocal and sight-reading experience. High School students may attend Tuesdays or Wednesdays or both.
In addition to full ensemble rehearsals, each singer receives individual/small group lessons with the director several times a semester. Individual musicianship skills, note-reading and vocal skills are worked on according to the level of each singer.
SYS offers vocal programs for children ages 8 -11 through the Plainfield Park District; Thursdays, 4:30 - 5:30 pm for girls; 5:45 - 6:45 pm for boys. An audition is not required for these programs. Registration is through the Plainfield Park District. Please register for the program in August 2022. The park district will also be offering a choir for adults. If you would like more information about these classes, email spectrumsing1@gmail.com
Meet the Director
As a music educator and choral conductor, Oksana Rodak has worked in Canada, the United States and Europe. Oksana is a graduate of the University of Toronto where she received her Bachelor 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, and studied choral conducting, piano, voice and bandura at the Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine. 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 Ellyn Children's 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 is the winner of the Glenn Gould Memorial Scholarship and Leslie Bell Conducting Prize.
Oksana's passion is working with young singers and guiding them to find their true voice. She believes that ordinary children can achieve extraordinary levels of musicianship. In the pursuit of excellence, she helps her singers nurture not only their musical development but also their self-knowledge, self-esteem and confidence.
Oksana's passion is working with young singers and guiding them to find their true voice. She believes that ordinary children can achieve extraordinary levels of musicianship. In the pursuit of excellence, she helps her singers nurture not only their musical development but also their self-knowledge, self-esteem and confidence.
Meet the Accompanist
Heather Reddout was sitting at a piano as soon as she was sitting up, and started lessons when she was 5 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 Spectrum Youth family for 2 years. Life would "B Flat without music!"
September 2022 - May 2023.
Girls and Boys (grades 6 - 10), Tuesdays, 7:00 - 8:15 pm starting Sept 13.
High School Girls and Boys, Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:15 pm starting Sept 14
High School Singers may sing on Tuesday or Wednesdays
Rehearsals: Eagle Pointe Elementary School, 24562 Norwood Drive, Plainfield, IL 60585
In addition to group rehearsals, each singer receives individualized online lessons in musicianship, musical literacy and vocal technique.
Friday evenings for 15 minutes. Time TBA on zoom.
SYS's top priority is creating a safe space for young people to come together. We will be following safety procedures based on scientific guidance from the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Guidelines: Singers should not attend in-person rehearsals while they are experiencing respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, or fatigue. Masking requirements may be reviewed in September 2022.
SYS will shift to online rehearsals if safety measures become too restrictive for a high quality, in-person experience.
Girls and Boys (grades 6 - 10), Tuesdays, 7:00 - 8:15 pm starting Sept 13.
High School Girls and Boys, Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:15 pm starting Sept 14
High School Singers may sing on Tuesday or Wednesdays
Rehearsals: Eagle Pointe Elementary School, 24562 Norwood Drive, Plainfield, IL 60585
In addition to group rehearsals, each singer receives individualized online lessons in musicianship, musical literacy and vocal technique.
Friday evenings for 15 minutes. Time TBA on zoom.
SYS's top priority is creating a safe space for young people to come together. We will be following safety procedures based on scientific guidance from the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Guidelines: Singers should not attend in-person rehearsals while they are experiencing respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, or fatigue. Masking requirements may be reviewed in September 2022.
SYS will shift to online rehearsals if safety measures become too restrictive for a high quality, in-person experience.
Mission - to enrich the lives of young people through choral music.
Spectrum Youth Singers Learn
Spectrum Youth Singers Learn
- Healthy vocal and breathing technique
- Mindfulness exercises to stay focused and engaged
- Musicianship skills
- Songs from diverse cultures and traditions
- Life skills: empathy, critical thinking, self awareness, responsibility, commitment
Our program includes:
- engaging rehearsals with our skilled conductor;
- small group lessons and one-on-one coaching;
- video and audio resources;
- special projects: meeting composers, connecting with international choirs, and serving the community;
- leadership opportunities for advanced singers;
- development of self-confidence, self-esteem and self-growth
- dedicated social time so children can connect with each other and have fun!
Performance Highlights:
Plainfield Village Hall, singing the National Anthem, March 6, 2023.
Service Project, Community Hope Day, March 4, 2023.
National Honor Choirs, American Choral Directors 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.
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
Plainfield Village Hall, singing the National Anthem, March 6, 2023.
Service Project, Community Hope Day, March 4, 2023.
National Honor Choirs, American Choral Directors 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.
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