| The Central Carolina Children's Chorus, a Winston-Salem based choir organization, is the home of the "Amani Invitational Children’s Choir Festival" (AICCF) Event. The purpose of AICCF is to raise awareness of abandoned orphans in Kenya due to HIV/AIDS and poverty, as supported and served by the Amani Children's Foundation, also based here in Winston-Salem. Children and Youth 'sing together in harmony and celebrate our unity.' The inaugural festival was held on November 19-20, 2010, at Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem. A Love Offering was collected for Amani during the final concert. "Baby Paul" is receiving care in Kenya from the proceeds of this offering, pictured here. This bi-annual event is hosted by the Central Carolina Children's Chorus and the Cathedral Choir of Centenary UMC. It is partnered with the church’s Music and Arts Ministry, which plays a supporting role. Participating choirs are the Central Carolina Children's Chorus, Cathedral Choir of Centenary UMC, ‘Songsters’ from Sherwood Forest Elementary School, the High Point Children’s Choir, and others from the Winston-Salem and Triad area. Tom Shelton from Greensboro was the inaugural conductor of this event, and composed a themed anthem that will be performed at each subsequent festival. Previously, in January of 2010, an "Amani Night" was held as a preview of this event. Around 150 young singers gathered at Centenary to learn about the organization, sing with Mr. Shelton, and have fun with bead- making led by Amani Volunteers. They also had an opportunity to write their thoughts, phrases, or a poem about Amani. Mr. Shelton used this thematic material and incorporated it into the festival anthem, "Beyond Borders," that was premiered during the culminating festival concert. Our next AICCF will be in the fall of 2012. Please look for updates closer to that time! For more information about Amani go to www.amanichildren.org. Tom T. Shelton, Jr., AICCF Composer & Conductor Shelton is a native of Greensboro and a graduate of UNC Greensboro with both a Bachelor of Music Education Degree and Master of Music in Choral Conducting. He is the Associate Director of the Music Ministry for Children and Youth at First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro. Prior to working at First Presbyterian Church, Shelton taught middle school choral music in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County for 18 years, and was selected “Teacher of the Year” for both Atkins Middle School and Kernersville Middle School, and in 1999 was presented the North Carolina Middle School Music “Teacher of the Year” award by the NC Music Educators Association. Shelton is active in the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), where he currently serves as the President-Elect for the Southern Division. He has served as National Repertoire and Standards Chair for Junior High/Middle School Choirs (2007-2009), and President for North Carolina ACDA (2005-2007). An active clinician, Shelton has conducted Elementary, Middle, and High School Festivals in many states. In 2007, he traveled to Hong Kong to conduct a piece he was commissioned to write for the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Hong Kong International School. A widely-published composer, Shelton works with the Greensboro Youth Chorus organization as conductor of the Chorale. |
| The Amani Invitational Children’s Choir Festival Children Helping Children ~ Amani means Peace |
