Recreation agency spreads its message through music

Local performers share talents and generate revenues.

By Jerry Menz

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, "Music is the universal language of mankind."

The Decatur Recreation Department continually seeks to affirm these words through its active involvement with music programs that have enriched the lives of all who have been a part of the Greatest Story Every Sung.

In 1985, 441 participants provided nearly a million hours of listening and watching entertainment. While enjoying tens of thousands of participation hours, these young people generated for the Decatur Park District Recreation Department more than $250,400.

The first chapter

This "story" began 15 years ago with one microphone, a guitar and a group of summer park leaders singing in unison and performing at weekly ice-cream socials. Through the dedicated efforts and interest of the recreation department, which recognized the need and potential for musical participation within the realm of recreation, music programs were seeded and have grown over the years to include all ages and skill levels.

Decatur's enthusiasm and support of the recreation department's programs have been vital to their ongoing success. It has been a mutually profitable relationship built on the exposure Decatur and its music groups have received through the many performances given locally and nationwide, including performances at the World's Fair and for the President of the United States.

Music programs include all ages and skill levels.

Introducing the stars

The Decatur Park Singers is a highlighted segment of a well-rounded music program that entertains its community while providing valuable experience to aspiring musicians. This self-supporting group raises essential monies to assure ongoing recreational programming for the developmentally disabled while providing additional funds which have become essential to the operation of the program as a whole.

During the past 15 years, the Decatur Park Singers have evolved into a top quality ensemble with full arrangements, sophisticated sound system, traveling stage and lighting system.

The Park Singers have received the National Recreation and Park Association's (NRPA's) Great Lakes Regional Council Arts and Humanities Award.

In addition to volunteering more than 600 hours each during the summer months to singing and entertaining, the Park Singers are employed in various essential job positions within the recreation department and park district.

Summer Stock

The Best of Summer Stock program, more frequently referred to as BOSS, was developed in 1981 to meet the needs of our younger performers seeking a quality musical experience and direction of their talents at the high school level.

The BOSS participants are involved throughout the summer in a program filled with singing, dancing and sharing the footlights with new friends.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 32 March/April 1987

Their efforts are rewarded through several public performances, and they are showcased at the annual benefit concert.

By 1983, BOSS had given birth to two new programs: BOSS Kids (first through third grades) and BOSS Jr. (fourth and fifth grades). These groups were created for children to learn and grow "on stage" as they discover and develop their musical potential.

Other performers

The Young Park Singers are extra-talented and enthusiastic young performers. With an average age of 14, they show the promise of becoming tomorrow's Park Singers. They perform as an opening group at most of the local Park Singer concerts.

As a result of growing requests and opportunities for year-round entertainment, a Decatur Park Singer Ensemble was formed, and it includes approximately 12 Young Park Singers and Decatur Park Singers. This ensemble performs 30-minute shows for an honorium at various community and statewide conventions throughout the fall, winter and spring.

The Greater Decatur Chorale was formed in 1984. An eight-month program, beginning in September, is divided into two semesters and features concerts in January and May that generate additional funding for the recreation department's Division of Cultural Arts.

The 100 members of this group provide entertainment and enjoyment for their audiences and themselves.

An added dimension to the chorale was the formation of the Greater Decatur Dance Ensemble. Its 14 members also have a mutual interest in entertaining. The ensemble made its debut during the winter 1985 concert as an accompaniment to the chorale. Its members now dance in their own spotlight as a featured part of each concert.

Arts fair

Another unique aspect of cultural arts programming is the A Very Special Arts Fair, formed in 1980 and now cosponsored by the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). The fair was designed to provide a pre-vocational work experience through visual and musical arts for the handicapped and underprivileged.

In 1985, A Very Special Arts Fair received a Presidential Award of Distinction for the excellent example it represents as a federal summer youth program.

The special needs of the developmentally disabled have continued to be a significant motivator in the ongoing success of recreational and musical programs. The recreation department's Unique Programming for Handicapped Individuals (UPHI) has provided more than 27,000 hours of recreational programs this past year.

A 40-minute video presentation of the Greatest Story Ever Sung is available through the Decatur Park District Recreation Department, P.O. Box 383, Decatur, IL 62525.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jerry Menz is the director of recreation at the Decatur Recreation Department.

Colloquim seeks papers for June meeting

The Midwest Therapeutic Recreation Research Colloquim is seeking papers for its 1987 meeting June 4-5 at Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.

Papers may be submitted on any topic or research as long as they are in some way related to the therapeutic aspects of recreation. Two copies of the abstract should be submitted by April 17 to Dr. Dan Ferguson, Department of Park and Natural Resources, 131 Natural Resources, East Lansing, MI 48824-1222.

Additional information about the colloquim is available from Dr. Rick Paulsen, Department of Park and Recreation Resources, 131 Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1222. Phone (517) 353-5190.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 33 March/April 1987