A. History and Purpose of The Boys Choir of Powhatan

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1 Cultural and Enrichment Field Trip to Raleigh, Durham and Greensboro, North Carolina I. The Boys Choir of Powhatan A. History and Purpose of The Boys Choir of Powhatan The Boys Choir of Powhatan was organized in 1998 by Ms. Joe Ann Oatis, who was a vocal music teacher at Powhatan Elementary School in Baltimore County, Maryland. The choir was created to develop the character, social skills, communication skills and musical talents of young African-American males. Ms. Oatis saw a need to redirect their energy to foster positive self esteem and to encourage team work. B. Composition/ Selection Criteria Currently the choir is made up of boys 7 to17 in grades 1 through 12 at various elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the Baltimore County Public School District and the Baltimore Metropolitan Area. The choir does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, disability or ethnic origin. Prior musical training is not necessary. Rehearsals are mandatory and are scheduled weekly during the school year. Students must maintain good attendance and passing grades at school in order to participate. C. Performances ( ) The choir performs for schools, churches, community groups, hospitals and nursing homes. The choir has completed 10 spring tours. The first two were to Georgia in 2001 and 2002, Alabama in 2002, Ohio in 2003, Michigan in 2003 and 2004, Canada in 2004, Tennessee in 2005 and 2006, Arkansas in 2005, Mississippi in 2006, Illinois in 2007 and 2008 and Nashville, Tennessee/Huntsville, Alabama in 2009, Raleigh/Charlotte/Durham, NC in Other performances have been in Washington DC, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and throughout Maryland. The boys have visited three Presidential Libraries, performed the National Anthem at an Atlanta Hawks basketball game, and performed at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and The Grand Ole Opry. Professional sports visits: Memphis Grizzlies, Chicago Bulls, Nashville Predators (hockey) and the Charlotte Bobcats.

2 2 D. Local Performances The choir has performed at various venues in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area including Grace Presbyterian Church, City Temple Church, Emmarts United Methodist Church, Beechfield Elementary School, Baltimore Highlands Elementary School, Woodlawn Middle School, Woodlawn High School, The Benjamin Banneker Center, Epworth United Methodist Chapel, Community Baptist Church, Christian Community Church, First Baptist Church of Pimlico, Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church and Star of Bethlehem Spiritual Temple. The choir has also performed locally for the Baltimore County African American Heritage Festival, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Baltimore Links, Maryland Council of Deltas, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, The Preston Mitchum, Jr. Foundation, Channel 45 Champions of Courage, and The Dorsey Foundation. St James/St Johns Episcopal Church on Capitol Hill E. Museum and Other Cultural Visits The choir s cultural field trips have taken them to the Martin Luther King Museum (Atlanta), the Jimmy Carter Museum (Atlanta), the John F. Kennedy Museum (Detroit), Stone Mountain (Georgia), George Washington Carver s Home and Museum (Tuskegee), Charles Wright African American Museum (Detroit), Queen Elizabeth s Gardens (Canada), Tuskegee Airmen s Flight Field and Chappie James Fighter Plane, Morehouse College, Polytechnic Institute (Atlanta), Bakers Lounge (the oldest jazz club in the country, Detroit), Motown USA (Detroit), Tunica Mississippi Museum, Mississippi River Boat Tour (Tunica), Old Sugar Ditch (Tunica), DuSable Museum (Chicago), The Suzuki Institute (Chicago), Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago) Shedd Aquarium (Chicago), Canadian and African American Museum, Johnson Publishing Company (Chicago), Harpo Studio (Chicago), Senator Barack Obama s Presidential Campaign Headquarters (Chicago), Reginald F. Lewis Museum (Baltimore), William J. Clinton Presidential Library (Arkansas), National Civil Rights Museum (Memphis), Fisk University (Nashville), Meharry Medical School (Nashville), Tennessee State University (Nashville), The Grand Ole Opry Museum (Nashville), and the Nashville Heritage Tour. Nasher Museum of Art (Duke University) St. Augustine College (Raleigh), Shaw University, North Carolina Central University and University of North Carolina

3 3 F. Summer Camp In order to overcome the lapse in learning due to summer vacation, a music summer camp was implemented. Camp is held the last two weeks of June. The daily activities include vocal training, choreography, rehearsals, math, theory and outdoor games and activities. The success and need to continue the program are measured by attendance, performance and attitude of the two week effort. G. Awards, Certificates and Special Recognitions Presented to The Boys Choir of Powhatan and/or Joe Ann Oatis, Founder/Director Fullwood Foundation Valued Hours Award Frisby Historical Society Award The Benjamin Banneker Center Recognition Raleigh Egypt High School Recognition (Memphis) Continental Societies Memorial Award State Farm Ujima Award The Berenbach Educational Incentives Fund Award Woodlawn Rotary Service Above Self Award Hattie W. Richardson ASALH Award Epworth United Methodist Chapel 10 Year Service Award Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Education Award Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Keeper of the Flame Award (New Orleans 2010) Howard L. Cornish Humanitarian Award (Morgan State National Alumni Association)

4 4 II. Field Trip to Raleigh, Durham and Greensboro, North Carolina (April 16, 2011 April 23, 2011) A. Invitation The boys were invited to explore the rich heritage of North Carolina by native Mrs. Deborah Peaks Coleman, a writer, editor, public relations consultant and journalist. B. Purpose and Rationale The purpose of the visit is to enhance the social, educational and cultural growth of our future leaders by experiencing and participating in the cultural accomplishments of African Americans in North Carolina. C. Objectives To expand the boys educational opportunities through cultural enrichment and travel To share their musical talents through scheduled performances, during tours and in seminars D. Program Plan Travel The group will travel by chartered bus from Baltimore to Cary, North Carolina leaving on Saturday, April 16, 2011 and returning on Saturday, April 23, The bus will be used to provide transportation during the day while on tour. There will be 42 people traveling including twenty eight (26) boys and twelve (12) chaperones, the director and the bus driver.

5 5 Meals and Lodging A block of rooms has been reserved at Comfort Suites where we will house four (4) boys and one (1) adult per room. 350 Ashville Avenue Cary, NC USA (919) The hotel provides breakfast and other meals are planned accordingly. Contact Information The Boys Choir of Powhatan Joe Ann Oatis, Founder/ Director 9100 Marlove Oaks Lane Owings Mills, MD