The Virginia Beach Chorale

THE VIRGINIA BEACH CHORALE

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Virginia Beach Chorale News


Lou Sawyer Memorial Scholarship in Music

The Virginia Beach Chorale will award the first Lou Sawyer Memorial Scholarship in Music in the Spring of 2010. Mr. Sawyer was our director for many years and this scholarship is being made available by the many friends he made through his musical contributions to the community of Hampton Roads. The scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior who has been accepted by a college or university and plans to major in music. Please download the scholarship requirements and application (Word). Information will also be posted on the Virginia Beach City Schools Scholarship Central soon.

The Chorale is proud to announce the recipient
of the first Lou Sawyer Memorial Scholarship:
David Thom, Jr.

David attends Tallwood High School and the Governor’s School for the Arts. His activities include the track team and captain of the dive team in addition to his instrumental and vocal talents. He will attend James Madison University in the Fall where he will major in viola performance. Congratulations David!

Partners In Education

The Chorale is very pleased to be participating in Virginia Beach City Public School's Partners In Education. This program supports collaborative efforts between schools and partnering organizations to foster a better understanding of public education and to provide additional resources intended to benefit students. Research supports a link between community engagement and student achievement, making the school division's 1,400 educational partnerships invaluable. Working together with our schools, partners support activities that are aligned with specific goals and provide expanded material, financial, and/or human resources to enhance and enrich teaching and learning. Each partnership is unique and individually planned between the school and the partner, allowing for unlimited opportunities to help promote students' academic and personal growth and success. The Chorale is partnering with the Visual & Performing Arts Academy at Salem High School to:

Everyone benefits from helping support the academic, social and emotional growth of our children.


In Memoriam: Lou Sawyer

On August 7, 2008, we lost Lou Sawyer, our director, teacher, mentor, inspiration, and beloved friend. The legacy he leaves behind cannot be measured and will have an effect on the music community of Hampton Roads for years to come.
Lou Sawyer conducts The Virginia Beach Chorale

Chorale Biography of Lou Sawyer

Lou Sawyer is an outstanding director and musician with a strong background in teaching. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Old Dominion University and a Master of Music Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. Among those he has studied with in clinics and workshops with Fred Waring, Robert Shaw, Aaron Copland, and Randall Thompson.
Mr. Sawyer retired as Music Coordinator for the City of Virginia Beach Public Schools and is currently teaching and coordinating student teachers in Music Education for Old Dominion University. He is also currently teaching at Tidewater Community College. He is a past president of the Virginia Association of Music Education Administrators.
His teaching and conducting experience with performing groups includes local and statewide workshops, vocal clinics, radio, and television. Being a professional vocalist and director with appearances in operas, musicals, and numerous choral groups, plus instrumental guest appearances, adds a special dimension to this multi-talented man.