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The Voices of Unity Youth Choir, (VOU) is a unique and exciting soulful choral group under the umbrella of the Unity Performing Arts Foundation (UPAF), a community-based multi-faceted performing arts organization, based in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
UPAF's signature choral program has risen to a premier status in a very short time. This choir provides urban and suburban children and youth in the Fort Wayne area the opportunity to learn, study and perform mainstream soulful music that is interesting and relevant to their generation. Music styles taught include jazz, spirituals, gospel, rhythm and blues, hip-hop, pop, and country.
VOU targets three areas of youth development: character, artistry and leadership development. In addition to singing, students are also exposed to activities that develop and build character through interaction with adult volunteers, youth leadership opportunities and training. Our curriculum includes peer-to-peer group activities that bolster self-confidence and provide life lessons that engender life success.
VOU positive and creative environment fosters discipline, teamwork, and professionalism. Our curriculum sets a standard of “excellence and nothing less” that brings even the most shy or most uncertain child out of his/her shell, instills confidence, and helps to improve every child’s ability to socially adapt to other people, cultures and environments. The empowering environment of The Voices of Unity is simply a life-changing experience for many children, teens and adults.
The membership of the Voices of Unity Youth Choir is a very strong statement of diversity Approximately 2% are African; 47% are African-American; 22% are bi-racial; 20% are Caucasian; and 9% are Latino. Approximately 60% are female and 40% are male. The membership covers 18 zip codes in the community and one student traveling from the Chicago area. Forty percent (40%) are on our scholarship assistance program.
In our short time of existence, the choir has accomplished many great things. VOU has had the opportunity to perform in professional settings with a high profile clientele. The choir has hosted numerous high-impact professional concerts on the campus of Indiana / Purdue University in Fort Wayne where their offices and operations reside. In addition, the choir has had the opportunity to work with artists such as Heather Headley, Roberta Flack, The Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Josh Groban, and with R&B sensation Keyshia Cole on the nationally televised NFL 2007 Kick-Off Celebration for the Indianapolis Colts.
The choir has also performed for several of the Indianapolis Colts events including the opening of the Lucas Oil Stadium in 2008. Bill Polian, President of the 2006 Super Bowl Champions, Indianapolis Colts, has officially endorsed The Voices of Unity. They also were named one of the top 50 arts and humanities-based programs in the country serving youth beyond school hours. The recognition was announced as part of the 2009 Coming Up Taller Awards, bestowed by the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities.
