Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela Kelly.
Hi Pamela, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
EncoreKc! was formed as a choral outreach project o Phyllis Curtis and Pam Smith Kelly, inspired by the work of Frank Curtis and the Fine Arts Institute, EKC! was originally formed by the Fine Arts Institute in 2028, with the first rehearsals held in February of 2019. The chorus consisted of 90 singers, with three performances in its first year. The chorus had just celebrated it first anniversary in February or 2020, when Covid-19 haltered rehearsals. In August 2021, EKC! Foundation was established as an independent 501(c)(30 corporation registered with the State of Kansas.
EncoreKC! Chorus is the original, non-audition chorus, open to singers aged 50+. Anyone with a desire to sing is welcome to join. Accommodations are made for people who need assistance. This 90-singer choir performs three times per year. The EncoreKC! Foundation is Arts Partners with Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church. Performances are at Grace United Methodist Church in Olathe for Chorus and Act II.
The Board of Directors and Leadership Team and all involved with the music opportunities of EncoreKC! are volunteers.
EncoreKC! Foundation currently offers additional ensembles and classes: 24 – member SATB choir (ACT II), 32 – member SSAA choir (Belle Voci), Ukulele ensemble, woodwind ensemble, brass ensemble and a music theory/piano class.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Covid – 19 closed the initial momemtum for the chorus, but after EncoreKC! Foundation was formed, EKC! began to offer for 5 additional ensembles and theory/piano class for people over 50.
We try to keep the members costs very low, so that they can all participate. Scholarships are also offered. The rest of the funding has come from generous donors and a few small grants.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the Artistic Director and Conductor of EncoreKC! Foundation. I taught elementary music, elementary band, elementary choir and middle school choir for 35 years in the Fort-Zumwalt and Blue Valley School District. During that time I have also been involved directing children, adults, handbells, orchestras and wind ensembles for 30 years. I was one of the founding conductors for KC Wind Symphony and Midwest Winds. In 1993 I also established a publishing company, Claude T. Smith Publications, primarily publishing the music of my late father, Claude T. Smith. Now 32 years later, CTS PUBS has expanded to include over 25 additional band and orchestral composers.
After retiring in 2015, I missed teaching. My son was in high school and began taking private voice lessons from Frank Curtis. I was enthralled with what Frank had done with his choir, “Tune Time Singers.” After Frank’s passing I often had breakfast with Phyllis Curtis, Frank’s wife, The concept of a choir for people over 50 years of age was so enticing that I asked a few of my friends to join in on the idea. Bob and Linda Dover were the original couple that I talked with and we took that leap of faith to get it started. Bob and Linda are still our music librarians and Linda is our accompanist. Mary Beth Boucher co-conducted with me. She retired in 2023 and I became the artistic director. My vision has been to created musical activities for people over 50.
As well as being an organization for music,, I also feel that people need people. After the Covid-19 experience, so many people did not want to socialize again. By providing social opportunities, our members have developed new friendships and often participate in other activities together. We have several members that will drive other members.
The chorus rehearses on Monday mornings. We chose that day to get their wee started with positive activities and singing bonds all of us together.
It is a joy to see this program grow and flourish. These wonderful people want to sing, play and continue to learn. We often add movement to some of our music, which also helps build coordination, balance and self confidence.
How do you think about luck?
I feel that God has been with me through my entire life. I know I need to continually be a servant to others. In saying that, I haven’t consciously been aware of God’s divine presence until I started EKC. Everything just fell into place. Yes, there were growing pains along the way, but everyone involved has the same mission of providing music for other people. After the pandemic, I prayed that we could find a Board of Directors and a facility to rehearse in. As we progressed, it all came together with the help of our Leadership Team and Board. My husband has always helped me fulfill my dreams and he is an integral part as the Treasurer of the Leadership Team and the Board. I also mentioned it to our pastor, Sue Trigger at the time of searching for a “home base.” Not only did she agreed, but she insisted on becoming Arts Partners with Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church.. I personally think God has made this happen right before our eyes.
Pricing:
- $50 per singer in the Chorus, per season
- $25 per person for all other ensembles and classes
Contact Info:
- Website: EncoreKC.org
- Facebook: Encorekcchorus
