Print This PageCamaçari, Brazil Children's Choir
Camaçari, Brazil (Oct. 6, 2006) - Children from Camaçari, Brazil, have found a way to rise above their daily challenges with the help of a little music. The Little Singers, a children's choir sponsored by Monsanto Camaçari, is designed to benefit 50 children from the local community, to help develop their artistic sense and creativity. And the Monsanto Little Singers have accomplished what a lot of groups dream of achieving - a recorded CD.
The children love participating in the choir, said Daniela Franco, Monsanto communications analyst and coordinator for the Little Singers. "The children's favorite part of performing is the end when the audience stands up and applauds," said Franco. "Laissa, a choir member, told me that such moments make her feel important and allow her to forget the life she faces daily." Most of the choir children are members of families earning one or two minimum wages. Under such conditions these children would never have had a chance to study music without a project like the Little Singers.
Before participating in the choir, many children had spare time but no interests or hobbies, said Franco, which would eventually lead them to the streets and involvement with drugs and similar situations. The biggest benefit of the project, in addition to encouraging children to stay in school, is directing the energy of the children toward learning music and achieving progress in it.
The dream of a first CD for the Little Singers became a reality in 2003. "Our intention was to have an eclectic CD, including some Christmas and popular songs, to be delivered as souvenirs to Camaçari employees, customers and suppliers," said Franco. "The result was fantastic. It's amazing that despite their needs, these children are able to overcome the difficulties and delight us with such great performances."
Monsanto participates in the general coordination of the project, providing snacks, transportation for children and school material. The choir is supported by a team consisting of a maestro, an assistant and a voice trainer. Rehearsals are held every Saturday at a local school auditorium.
To stay in the choir, children must attend school on a regular basis and maintain good grades. Monthly meetings with parents address problems faced at home, such as alcohol addiction, divorce, unemployment and violence. This initiative is greatly appreciated by the families, said Franco, since they can easily perceive the significant progress their children are making in areas such as discipline, self-esteem, school and cultural development.
One initiative taken by the Little Singers and supported by Monsanto is the Solidarity Choir. "This is the name we selected for the actions carried out by our choir," said Franco. "Initially the only activity held by choir members was the rehearsals; however, the children started becoming bored. The children suggested taking their music to low-income and in-need people."
The Little Singers perform throughout the year at public squares, homes for the elderly, hospitals and low-income schools, with the purpose of disseminating music through the Solidarity Choir.
