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14 choirs in Valley to clash for grants
YOUNGSTOWN — A Mahoning County judge has found a somewhat unusual way to award grant money for programs designed to keep kids out of trouble.
Judge Theresa Dellick of Mahoning County Juvenile Court is having a “Clash of the Choirs”-type program with the performers getting points toward their grant proposals. The best performances will get the more points, and a better chance of a larger grant.
The idea was approved by the state Department of Youth Services, which is watching it closely, according to Bonnie Lohrman of Judge Dellick’s staff and a committee member for the event. If it’s a success, the department could encourage duplication of it in other counties, said Lorhman.
Judge Dellick received about $80,000 in state money for juvenile court diversion programs. But instead of keeping the money in the court system, she wanted to distribute it in the community. Proposals for juvenile crime prevention programs were solicited from churches, schools and nonprofit agencies.
The committee pared the proposals to 14 finalists, who have assembled youth choirs that will vie for the grants in a musical program — titled “Coming Together for Prevention in Perfect Harmony” — at 10 a.m. Saturday at Stambaugh Auditorium. Tickets are free but must be obtained in advance by calling Richard Vendetti at (330) 740-2278. Tickets will not be available at the door.
Judge Dellick said the competition itself has crime-prevention qualities.
“It’s a pro-social activity,” she said. “To compete in a choir, you have to work together, be disciplined and perform in front of an audience.”
A host of celebrity presenters will be on hand to introduce the performers, including the cabaret act of Rick Blackson and Mary Jo Maluso; state Sen. Capri Cafaro of Liberty, D-32nd; Todd Hancock and Maureen Collins of Easy Street Productions; state Attorney General Marc Dann; Jeff Kelley and Carol King of WBBG 106.1-FM; Michelle Nicks and Madonna Chism Pinkard of WFMJ-TV 21; Sonja Williams, wife of Youngstown’s mayor; John and Denise DeBartolo York; Arnold Wagner of Legacy Academy; and LeShawn Tucker of Youngstown, who was a contestant on the NBC holiday miniseries “Clash of the Choirs” in December.
Each group will sing the same song: “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony),” a pop song from the 1970s. The performances will account for just 20 percent of each group’s total score, with the written proposal carrying 80 percent.
“We did it that way because we wanted the superior programs to get the most funding,” said Judge Dellick when asked if a weak performance could cost a group some funding.
The top five finishers will get $10,000; five more will get about $5,000 each; and smaller sums also will be available. Each of the 14 finalists will receive something.
Judge Dellick stressed that all money doled out in this program — including the $1,400 rental fee for Stambaugh Auditorium — comes from the state Department of Youth Services.
“If we did not spend this money, the state would take it back and give it to another county,” said Judge Dellick.
Performing is in keeping with the spirit of the proposals, said committee member Lohr. When a child can work together in a group, following directions and cooperating with others, he is demonstrating behavior that will keep him out of trouble.
The performances will be judged by Tucker; Michael Lisi, a music teacher in Avon Lakes who often serves as a guest conductor for district and county honor choirs and is sought as a clinician and speaker; and Brenda Cronin of the Ohio Department of Youth Services.
Tucker, who goes by the moniker S. Tuck, will also sing at the show. Tucker was a member of pop singer Nick Lachey’s team on “Clash of the Choirs,” which won first place.
He recently released a CD titled “Stuck in Love.”