The Tulsa Children's Chorus has just about reached voting age, and its mother is ready for a slightly emptier nest.
Ginny LeDoux, who founded the chorus in 1991 as part of the now-defunct Community Arts School Tulsa, will retire as artistic director after the chorus' performance Friday (april 18).
The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Fellowship Lutheran Church, 6727 S. Sheridan Road. Admission is free, and a reception for LeDoux will follow the performance.
"Yes, I've been through the birth and raised it to a teen-ager," Ledoux said, laughing. "It's been a great experience, but I thought that time had come to pursue other interests."
Actually, other interests are one reason why LeDoux is leaving the Tulsa Children's Chorus. She currently teaches vocal music at Holland Hall, and directs the children's choruses at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church.
"With TCC, that made three pretty full-time jobs," she said. "I was getting to the point where I thought I didn't have time to breathe."
Since its creation, the Tulsa Children's Chorus has grown into three separate choirs, accommodating young performers at various ages and skill levels.
It is now a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and performs regularly with such groups as the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra and the Tulsa Oratorio Chorus. The ensemble was featured at the Oklahoma Centennial Kick-Off concert in Tulsa, which starred Tony Bennett.
Marjoleine Gravely will take over as artistic director. Lisa Wagner will continue to direct the entry level chorus, while Scott Zenthoefer will still be in charge of the older students in the Tulsa Youth Chorale.
"For me, the greatest thing is knowing that the chorus will continue without me," LeDoux said. "And I'm very proud of having had a small part in introducing a lot of young people -- and their parents -- to great music."
