SOMA Musicians, Educators Aim To Enrich Local Arts Scene

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — A pair of Maplewood residents – one a former music teacher in Millburn and the other the choral director at Newark Academy – are embarking on an effort to enrich the music culture of their community.

Maplewood residents, music educators and friends, Erin Smith and Viraj Lal, say that the recently founded SOMa Youth Choir is based on a simple concept: supporting the great music programs already intact in South Orange and Maplewood.

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Committed to “creating an inclusive environment,” the youth choir welcomes children ages 8 to 18. It aims to develop engaged individuals and instill a life-long passion for music and the arts, a sense of pride in their communities and a standard of musical excellence. Students are not required to audition or have prior choral experience. Rehearsals take place at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Maplewood.

Children in Millburn, West Orange, Union, and Livingston are welcome to join the choir. For more information, visit www.somayc.org, or email info@somayc.org.

According to a news release from Smith and Lal:

“Lal is the choral director at Newark Academy where he directs nine vocal ensembles. He is often sought out as a vocal coach and guest-clinician for Middle and High School ensembles around the state. Lal has guest-conducted choral ensembles internationally in Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic.”

“Smith has extensive experience in choral music education as an educator, administrator, and performer which spans nearly two decades. She taught music in the Millburn Township Schools, is currently the National Choir Coordinator for American Young Voices (AYV), and performs professionally as a choral artist in the NYC metro area.”

Photos: SOMa Youth Choir

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