Inspiration Station
AUSTIN, Texas—The Austin Children’s Choir collaborates again with the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center during the museum’s 5th anniversary year to present a festival of soul—complete with inspiring stories, live music, exhibits, and some soul cuisine—inspired by the local community on Saturday, February 20 from 1 – 5 p.m.
“Inspiration Station celebrates the inspirational soul of Austin’s community,” said Kathleen Turner, Artistic Director of the Austin Children’s Choir. “Guests will be inspired by the stories, soul food, our community honorees, and of course, the live music from the children and special guests.”
Local Austin eateries Hoover’s Cooking, Sugar and Spice, and Nubia Queen Lola’s along with Austin Children’s Choir families will offer soul food tastings (with stories behind the comfort food) from their tradition/childhood to share in the Taste of Soul happening throughout the Inspiration Station event.
The Choir will recognize community leaders and at the concert, these honorees will share inspiring life stories. The honorees are:
* Judy R. Arnold, brilliant singer and actress, known to many as a star in Zach Scott’s production of Rockin’ Christmas Party
* O.C. Houston RPh., community leader and inspiration of Hospital Pharmacy, Austin's only African-American owned pharmacy
* Kelley Phillips-Glover, founder and creative spirit behind the soon to be premiered U Better Sing public television show on KLRU
* Morgan Beckford, University of Texas Doctoral Student composing a children’s opera which serves as her doctoral thesis
* John K. Fleming has worked extensively as a flute instructor, performer and clinician to students in music programs throughout the greater Austin and surrounding areas.
* The late Dr. Bernard Gastler, founder of the Austin Children’s Choir who passed away in November 2009.
Celebration, the select ensemble of Unity Church of the Hills, will do a rousing rendition of Psalm 121 in to tribute the late Dr. Bernard Gastler.
Guests can also enjoy multi-media exhibits, face painting, and live musical exhibits throughout the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center.
PROGRAM
1 p.m. Museum Opens; Taste of Soul
1:30-2:30 p.m. Inspiration Station I Concert and Tribute in Boyd Vance Theatre
2:40-3:20 p.m. I am Somebody program by Judy Arnold in Boyd Vance Theatre; live exhibits,
Taste of Soul
3:30-4:30 p.m. Inspiration Station II Concert and Tribute in Boyd Vance Theatre
ABOUT THE AUSTIN CHILDREN’S CHOIR
Founded in 1986, The Austin Children's Choir includes three graded choirs with members ranging in age from 5 to 18 years old. Their mission is to enrich the lives of Austin-area children with the joy and discipline of high-quality choral singing. The vision is to provide the Austin music scene with the unique sound of a well-trained children's choir. The Choir offers many public performances and are not directly affiliated with or sponsored by any religious organization and are proud to be the oldest and finest choir of our kind in Central Texas.
The Austin Children’s Choir is a non-profit organization formed as a gift to this city by former Concordia University Professor of Music Dr. Bernard Gastler. The chord he struck in 1986 still resounds not only throughout Austin, but all over Texas. Learn more about all that the Austin Children’s Choir means to this community at www.austinchildrenschoir.org.
ABOUT KATHLEEN TURNER, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Artistic Director Kathleen Kalin Turner is one of only a few graduates of the Eastman School of Music to be awarded the prestigious Performer's Certificate in two disciplines, earning hers in organ and oboe. In addition, she holds a Masters of Music in Sacred Music from Westminster Choir College, (Princeton, New Jersey) and was the 1988 winner of the national MTNA-Wurlitzer Collegiate Artist Competition in organ. Since 1988, Kathleen has held sacred music positions in the Episcopal denomination, most notably Organist/Choirmaster of Trinity Cathedral in Little Rock, Arkansas and historic Christ Church, Frederica on St. Simons Island, Georgia. In addition to her work with the Austin Children's Choir, Kathleen also serves as the Director of Music for St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas. Certified in both the Orff Schulwerk and Kodaly approaches to music education, Kathleen enjoys an active performing career and presents workshops in various facets of music education throughout the country. She lives in Austin with her husband, Te and son, Chris.
