Jacksonville Children's Chorus (JCC) President and Artistic Director Awarded 2019 Alumni Merit Award

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - May 24, 2019 - PRLog -- The Jacksonville Children's Chorus President and Artistic Director, Darren Dailey, was chosen as one of three distinguished individuals to receive the 2019 Alumni Merit Award from Westminster Choir College Alumni Council.

When asked about the award and Dailey's receipt of the award, Westminster Choir College Alumni Board President, Thomas Farraco had this to say, "Each year during Alumni Reunions at Westminster Choir College, the Alumni Council chooses several alumni to receive an Alumni Merit Award which is presented to those alumni who have distinguished themselves in the greater musical community, building upon the foundation established at Westminster." Faracco continued to say this about Dailey, "Through his outstanding work with the Jacksonville Children's Chorus, as well as his contributions to the profession through conducting,  recordings, publications,  and workshops,  Westminster Choir College was honored to recognize  Darren Dailey for these contributions."

In addition to receiving this honor, Dailey is also the recipient of the 2014 Reinhold Foundation Outstanding Executive Director Award and serves on the Jacksonville University College of Fine Arts Advisory Board.

When asked about receiving this prestigious award, Dailey had this to say, "I am pleased, honored and humbled to accept this award and to join past recipients who I have long admired and respected." Dailey continued by saying, "Many years ago...when I was in second grade, I remember so distinctly the impact of my elementary music teacher Rodney Somerville, a WCC grad, and learning about beautiful music – and being asked to sing solo for the class. At that young age, I was touched by the commitment to excellence in teaching and artistry. Here I am 45 years later, being honored for what was instilled in me at 7 years old - artistry and excellence in teaching young people to sing. I look forward to the day when one of our JCC alumni receives such an award."

Dailey joined the JCC in 2006. Under his leadership, the chorus has grown to serve over 1,000 first coast children annually with five core performance choirs, multiple satellite rehearsal locations, and outreach centers throughout the region.

As a founding artistic director of the Boston Children's Chorus, Dailey and his chorus performed at the 2004 Democratic Convention, appeared as the host chorus on the television special, "Raising the Roof: A Celebration of the Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. in Song," broadcasted nationally on WGN, and performed internationally in Japan.

About the Jacksonville Children's Chorus

The Jacksonville Children's Chorus was founded in 1995 by then Jacksonville University President, Dr. Francis B. Kinne to fill a need for a children's music program in Northeast Florida. Since inception, The JCC has developed into one of Jacksonville's most important providers of music education, enriching the lives of singers and audiences across the region. Because music education is crucial to a child's development, the JCC offers partial or full scholarship to any child who wishes to sing, regardless of the family's ability to pay. The scholarship program is funded solely through donations and ensures diversity in membership. The JCC has developed into one of Jacksonville's most important providers of music education, enriching the lives of singers and audiences across the region.