JPMorgan Chase is letting Facebook users help decide how to give away $5 million.

The idea is to get small, local charities on Chase’s radar — ones that don’t have the operating budget to go around asking for grants but do a lot of good work in their communities.

The “Chase Community Giving” program will let Facebook users choose from more than half a million charities that have an operating budget of less than $10 million apiece. Examples include the Children’s Diabetes Foundation in Denver, the East Bay Habitat for Humanity in Oakland, Calif., and the Montana Connection For Afghan Women in Bozeman, Mont.

The Chase program is not the first time a company has asked Facebook users to vote on its charitable dollars. But it is the first time that they can nominate charities that the giver likely hasn’t even heard of.

“We are moving from a centralized way of philanthropic giving to the wisdom of friends,” said Elliot Schrage, Facebook’s vice president of communications.

The 100 charities getting the most votes by Dec. 11 will each receive $25,000 from Chase.

In the program’s second round, one of the 100 will get a grant of $1 million, determined by a Facebook vote that begins Jan. 15. Five runners-up will receive $100,000 each. In addition, an advisory board will award $1 million to nominated charities of its choice.

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Members of the Syracuse Children’s Chorus performed with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, Full Cast Audio,  narrator Bruce Coville, and conductor John DiCostanzo to bring Eudora Welty’s book, The Shoe Bird, to life on Saturday, November 14, 2009.  This whimsical tale tells the story of Arturo the Parrot and his flock of friends, who find themselves in trouble when they decide to wear shoes instead of fly.

Our Fall 2009 edition of The Chorister, SCC’s semi-annual newsletter, is now available to view online.  Please click the picture below to be redirected to the appropriate page.

It’s time for the Syracuse Children’s Chorus Annual Poinsettia Sale! 

Our florist-quality poinsettias are in 6 ½ inch wrapped pots and available in red, pink, white or pink-and-white marble.  These gorgeous plants come from Chuck Hafner’s Farm Market and Garden Center and make excellent gifts or decorations for your home or office.   As large and beautiful as ever, Syracuse Children’s Chorus poinsettias continue to sell for just $12.00 each!  

Orders and payment must be received by November 20th.  Your poinsettias will be delivered to you in early December, just in time to enjoy them throughout the holiday season!

 Please call the Chorus at 478.0582 for more information about business orders and special delivery requests. 

A special light…

                                       Just one candle…

                                                                                       Lighting up the evening

The Nine Lessons and Carols concert concludes with an a cappella performance of Stille Nacht (Silent Night).  Members of Chorale hold candles as they surround the audience and illuminate Most Holy Rosary Church for the finale.

This year, we would like to give families the opportunity to bring someone dear to their heart a bit closer during the performance.  By lighting a candle in honor or in memory of a loved one, you can make a personal connection between those you care for and the choristers of the Syracuse Children’s Chorus.

For a donation of $10, your loved one’s name will be listed in our concert program and a candle will be lit in their honor.  A card of acknowledgment will also be sent to your loved one or another person of your choosing on behalf of SCC. 

 Please click here to download and print an order form.

The Syracuse Children’s Chorus presents

SHARING THE CHORAL EXPERIENCE

The 6^th Biennial Workshop designed especially for

Elementary and Middle School Vocal Music Educators

March 11, 2010

Sharing the Choral Experience 2010 will be presented by the Syracuse Children’s Chorus in collaboration with Syracuse University.  SCC Founder and Artistic Director Dr. Barbara M. Tagg, SCC Associate Director Deborah Cunningham, and SCC Assistant Director Marcia DeMartini will be joined by Dr. Elisa Dekaney from the Syracuse University Setnor School of Music to lead the day-long choral music workshop for music educators.  Sessions will focus on appropriate vocal and choral techniques and repertoire for children’s choirs that will inspire your classrooms and choral rehearsals.

Click here for more details.