FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 2005

The Greater Orlando Kidthedral Choir

CHILDREN'S CHOIR SHARES GIFTS FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING

America... are you looking for an alternate style of music that you and your children can enjoy?   Are your students bored with singing the same old songs? Do you need something to help your youth get their praise on?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, The Greater Orlando Kidthedral Choir, formerly The Cathedral Choir,  has a solution.  This Choir of five to 12-year olds has released "Let The Children Sing," a series of CDs packed with a variety of contemporary and traditional black gospel pieces that children across the country already are enjoying.  To complement the wonderful blends of songs, a music book featuring the "Let The Children Sing" theme is now available.

Their original CD, which debuted on Anvil Records the summer of 1999, gained the favor of the Orlando-area radio announcers on black gospel radio programs.  And, the music is being aired on gospel radio stations throughout these United States. 

The Kidthedral Choir's video single "Inherit the Kingdom" was the most requested video on Dr. Bobby Jones "Gospel Video" program and was named Children's Music Video of the Year.  Dr. Bobby Jones stated, "America just loves these babies!"  It's the video where the children run into the church to have chu'ch.  "There really has been a huge demand for the CD because while several youth gospel choirs have recorded music, this is the first choir of really young children to record "Sunday-morning-gospel music," said Minister Michael Thompson, minister of worship and fine arts at Mt. Olive AME Church, and the producer and promoter of the CD.  "Not only are we entertaining adults and children, but we're doing it while ministering to them."  The video and CD were also on the ballot for two Stellar Awards!

Thompson's wife, Gerry, who also directs the choir, wrote all of the songs on the first CD.  The music was written with the goal of providing easy lyrics for children.  Once the music grew into a CD, it was intended to be sold only at a local Christian Bookstore.  But the couple decided to release it nationwide to share the music with other musicians who may be having trouble finding black gospel music that is appropriate for children.

The music book is a natural complement to the CDs, providing musicians with the tools needed to perform the songs and teach them to other children.  Aspiring young musicians also will find the sheet music offers a challenging yet fun alternative for practice and performing.

Day-care centers, Christian academies, other schools and parents find the variety of songs a true blessing as it builds on the theme of doing what is necessary to live a Christian life...and have fun offering praise.

With upbeat tempos, a historical reading and melodic blends, the multi-faceted CDs have garnered great reviews.  "One woman said that she plays Don't Be Afraid - a soft, lullaby-like tune on the original CD - for her granddaughter every night she visits and the child sleeps soundly," said Gerry Thompson.  "The little girl used to hate to go to sleep at night because she had nightmares."

The sheer professionalism of The Kidthedral Choir rings through on every song thanks in part to the extensive practice for the studio, at church and on stage.  Engagements have included appearing at The World Congress Center in Atlanta; 3 performances each day for several days at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom, and EPCOT and Downtown Disney in Orlando, Florida; helping to kick-off Universal Studios Grinchmas Christmas Celebration; "Hopeville" at Sea World featuring Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams; entertaining participants of the Mayor's many city-wide events; and singing to senior citizens at Guardian Care Nursing Home in Orlando.

One of the highlights of the choir's performances was its first concert, the summer of 1999, which featured renowned recording artists, The Williams Brothers.  The Kidthedral Choir and the (Mississippi-based) Williams Brothers performed to a sold-out crowd in a concert that was held in the St. Mark sanctuary.  Many rushed to purchase the CD saying, "This is just what my kids need!  Thank you!" Sales of the CD were brisk immediately after the concert when attendees realized what great gifts the CDs would make for adults and children.

The Kidthedral Choir's ministry has not been limited to Orlando, Florida.  The Choir successfully completed their first tour in 1999.  The 12-city July 1999 Let The Children Sing! Tour took them from the Super Dome in New Orleans for the Full Gospel National Baptist Convention to the White House in our nation's capital.  In the year 2000, a 15-City tour was a major achievement.  The Kidthedral Choir performed at the kick-off musical of the John P. Kee "Victory In Praise" Seminar.  The Choir opened for Kirk Franklin!  The audience's ovations called for an encore performance.  Ms. Yolanda Freeman, National Youth Director for The Church of God, insisted on having The Kidthedral Choir for a whole weekend.

During the July 2001 Let The Children Sing! Tour, The Kidthedral Choir opened for James Hall and Worship & Praise in Washington, DC.  They had two performances in Texas that turned into three.  The Choir performed at a 7:45 a.m. service in Houston and hopped on a plane to perform at an 11:00 a.m. service in Dallas.  However, The Choir was not allowed to exit the plane until they gave a command performance on board the plane by special request from the captain! 

The 2002 West Coast Tour was a slamming success!  The Choir flew into Seattle, WA and toured from Seattle and Tacoma into Portland, OR, with several stops in San Francisco, Oakland and Los Angeles, CA!  It was a wonderful time with Mrs. Rodena Preston-Williams.

The Choir continued to promote their sophomore project "Let The Children Sing" Volume II.  Plans for the 2003 West Coast Tour were changed due to the atmosphere of war.  The Choir was scheduled to also tour in Japan but instead toured the mid west, north and east Coast of the U.S.  The Tour included 14 cities and took place July 10-24 2003.

The 2004 Tour began June 25 and lasted through July 20.  Some of the cities included: Atlanta, Savannah, Charlotte, Detroit, Flint, Chicago, Indianapolis, Toledo, Louisville, Chattanooga, Birmingham, Oklahoma City, Dallas, Austin and Houston.  The Choir was asked to open at the A.M.E. General Conference in Indianapolis as well as open for Stellar Award winner Luther Barnes in Oklahoma City.  Birmingham was especially educational.  The Choir toured the 16th Street Baptist Church where the four little girls were killed during this country's racial/civil struggles.  In Austin, Texas the children had-a-ball as Stellar Award winner Min. Chester D. T. Baldwin allowed them to minister at Mt. Sinai MBC and then enjoy a fun day at his place.

The 2005 Summer Tour began June 24 and lasted through July 12.    Professor Dello Thedford was offering praises to God at both concerts in St. Louis; Mt. Sunny Baptist Church with Pastor Hunter and Shalom Church House of Peace where Mr. Thedford serves as minister of music.  Please check out the tour page for city listings and the picture page for some of the memories captured on film.

The Kidthedral Choir has been asked to minister at The Thomas Dorsey Convention on August 7.

"Let The Children Sing" and "Let The Children Sing" Volume II and III CDs and Music Books are available through Central South call 1-800-251-3052.  For more information on The Kidthedral Choir call 321-436-7633.