In October 1988, Tim and Susan Cahalan started a choir to give young vocalists the opportunity to extend their musical experiences beyond the classroom.

Twenty years later, the Logansport Children’s Choir is thriving with more than 100 students from third through 12th grade, and students traveling from Kewanna, Rochester and Winamac to participate in what alumni call a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience.

The choir is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a concert next week. Fifty alumni will be performing with current choir members.

When the Cahalans started the group, there weren’t many children’s choirs in America, and most of the choirs that did exist were in bigger towns.

“I had been teaching elementary school for a couple of years and I noticed that teaching singing was something that was a specialty for me,” Tim recalled. “I started to wonder what kids could do beyond the classroom. I also had become aware of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, and I thought, ‘Hey, we could do that.’”

In 1988, the choir consisted of 45 students in grades three through five.

Jessica Pasel was a student in the first year of the Children’s Choir. She and other alumni, along with current students, recently gathered at the high school to talk about their memories of participating in the group.

Pasel said she learned stage presence and how to conduct herself in public.

“I thought it was a really good outlet,” she said.

Students in the choir — which is split into two groups, the concert choir, with third- through eighth-graders, and the chamber choir for kids in sixth through 12th grade — travel around the country to sing. Every other year they travel to Europe as well.

Some of the students also perform in national competitions. The choir has had more than 60 members selected to the All State Children’s Honor Choir.

Over the years, the choir has performed in such places as the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, St. Peter’s Square in Rome, Salzburg Cathedral in Austria and Canterbury Cathedral in England.

They have also performed with musicians such as Rita Coolidge and the Lettermen.

Dozens of pictures hang on the hallway entrance to the Logansport High School choir room where the students practice. Photos are put up for each trip the students take.

Chip Geisler, who has had a family member in the group every year since it started, said he wouldn’t have had the experience of traveling out of the country if it weren’t for the children’s choir.

Alyssa Geisler remembers traveling the nation with her best friends. Several of the alumni say they keep in touch with other choir members, who have become lifelong friends. Cassie Hall said the children’s choir became a second family for her.

“The Cahalans made me want to study music,” said Christina Geisler, who is studying music education at Ball State.

High school sophomore Molly Williams said she also hoped to pursue a career in music.

“I’ll be going on my second trip to Europe,” she added.

The students shared stories of their choir experiences. Pasel remembered when Tim broke his brand-new baton.

“It broke right in half,” she laughed.

Christina remembers playing cards on the 12-hour bus rides.

Chip said he still has lyrics memorized from 15 years ago.

“The main thing you get out of it was an appreciation of music,” Justin Geisler said.

“I have this knowledge and love for music because of the choir, and I’ll have it for the rest of my life,” Alyssa added.

Tim said he had no idea 20 years ago what the choir would be today.

“It’s just been a real blessing to Susan and me,” he said. “We consider these kids our extended family, and we hope they do as well.”

Current and former members agree the choir wouldn’t be possible without the Cahalans.

“They’re such great musicians,” junior Hanna Myers said.

Christina said the Cahalans also took time to listen to the students.

“If you want to talk to them, they’re always there,” she said.

Melissa Soria may be reached at (574) 732-5143 or via e-mail at melissa.soria@pharostribune.com



Facts:

The Logansport Children’s Choir has had a total of 644 members.

It has given more than 200 performances.

States visited: 23

Countries visited: 7

Languages sung: 21

Pieces commissioned: 4



Want to go?

What: Logansport Children’s Choir 20th Anniversary Concert

When: Tuesday, May 20 at 7 p.m.

Where: McHale Performing Arts Center

Tickets: $3 for adults; $2 for students through 12th grade. Available at McHale Box Office and at the door.