Whiz Kids of the Week: San Marino Chamber Choir

Each week San Marino Patch names a Whiz Kid of the Week. This can be a kid, teen, sports team, Girl Scout troop, etc. from San Marino who is amazing in some way.

We are asking for your nominations for Whiz Kid of the Week, so suggest a special San Marino kid, teen or youth group in the comment box below! Read more about nominations .

• Whiz Kids: San Marino Chamber Choir

• Whiz Kids’ Age: 15-18

• Whiz Kids’ School:

• Whiz Kid’s Accomplishment: The San Marino Chamber Choir has performed in multiple competitions, conservatories, and shows. The San Marino Chamber Choir just returned from its 2011 tour of Italy, performing four concerts across various cities such as Chiesa di Francesco in Maiori, a standing-room only concert in Castel Nuovo in Naples, an incredibly moving and emotional performance at the Montecassino Abbey and an unforgetable finale in the historical Rieti Theatre. The chamber singers were even lucky enough to sing Mass at the St. Peter's Basilica.

• Whiz Kids’ Key to Awesomeness: As I consider this week’s Whiz Kids nomination, this notion of big things coming from the smallest places reminded me that culture is more than just GPAs, college acceptance letters, business and media, but the investment we place in the development of art and music, as exemplified by the San Marino Chamber Choir (San Marino High School) led by its director, Howard Cheung.
  As a city and, San Marino is known for the strength of its academics above all else; a philosophy reflected in school districts even across the country as it is often accepted that academics takes precedence over the arts. What began as Cheung’s vision and a handful of perseverant students, has transformed into the San Marino Chamber Choir: a musically tight knit group that we who call San Marino home can be and should be, proud to call our own.

The San Marino Chamber Choir, established in 2001 under Cheung’s guidance as a handful of seventh and eighth graders who didn’t even receive credit for their grueling weekly rehearsals from 5-9 p.m. has blossomed into one of the finest musical programs that the San Marino Unified School District has ever had the privilege to call its own. It was their perseverance and dedication towards honing their craft and creating a place where future generations could likewise appreciate the art of music that this group of young singers became a credited class in 2004.

From Italy (twice!) to Hungary, Austria to Japan, Taiwan and Peru, the students in the San Marino Chamber Choir have used their voices to reach out to the corners of the musical community on not just a local level, but internationally.  Their travels, the accolades and praise they have received everywhere they have performed, and the memories they will surely cherish the rest of their lives makes an ever-growing global community, just a little smaller; a little more like home.

But like any musical group, its success is built upon the complex interplay between the group’s gross and individual talent, and its leadership.  Even in the midst of continuing budget cuts and increased momentum towards academic point-based performance, Cheung continues to strive to create an environment where music can not only be nurtured, but given the room to grow.

It is, and continues to be Cheung’s vision that future generations enjoy the memories he cherished and that the San Marino Chamber Choir program endures to touch the lives of every student that makes his or her way through. His hope is for his students, and the promise of future students' share in the music that creates lasting friendships that they will care for the rest of their lives.

• Bonus Whiz Kid Info: When asked what was one of the most memorable aspects of their tour to Italy, the chamber singers unanimously said that they were sick of pasta! Having eaten it almost every meal, it was the general consensus that they missed their hamburgers and Asian food.

Visit the San Marino Chamber Choir Web site to learn more: