About Sandy Springs reporter. (Sandy Springs, GA) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 8, 2013)
COMMUNITY Buckhead Girls Choir offers singing Valentines BY MELISSA WEINMAN melissaweinman@reporternewspapers.net LEE UNDERWOOD The Buckhead Girls Choir, which focuses on international music, hopes to expand from Valentine Grams to singing for other holidays. If the usual flowers and chocolates feel a bit trite this year, the young song stresses of the Buckhead Girls Choir are offering something different you can give to your valentine. In what they call a “Valentine Gram,” a group of singers from the choir will serenade your sweetie with a medley of three love songs, then present him or her with a rose and a personal note. Megan Hodge, the founder and con ductor of the Buckhead Girls Choir, said this is the third year they have offered the Valentine Grams, which raise money for the nonprofit organization. Hodge said between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m., parent volunteers drive the girls to homes, offices, and other locations to deliver their Valentine Grams. “Last year a lot of people got them for their grandmas or for their teachers. We went to a lot of schools and retirement homes. It was fun,” Hodge said. She said the girls, who are between the ages of 5 and 17, enjoy it and dress for the holiday with plenty of hearts and glitter. “They had a blast last year. They’ve been bugging me to do other holidays,” Hodge said. “We may add a Mother’s Day version because they love it.” Each Valentine Gram costs $60. The money will go toward a scholarship fund, which helps pay the cost of tu ition for girls with financial difficulties. The funds will also cover the cost of uni forms and choir trips, Hodge said. Last year, the Buckhead Girls Choir sang at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., and this year, they are scheduled to perform at Disney World in Orlando in April. Hodge said she started the choir four years ago as a way to provide more op tions for girls who are interested in sing ing. Girls audition for the choir, which is divided into several groups based on age and skill level. Most choirs are associated with churches, Hodge said. But the Buck- head Girls Choir offers a non-religious choir experience for girls in the area. Hodge said the approximately 50 girls in the choir represent 19 schools, most ly from the private and public schools in Buckhead. “They didn’t really like the church music all the time. It gave them an op tion to sing something different,” Hodge said. The choir has a focus on internation al music. This year, the choir is singing in 21 different languages, Hodge said. “We just choose a variety of mu sic. We’re very eclectic with our taste,” Hodge said. “There’s an emphasis on learning pronunciation in different lan guages and the different styles that go along with each culture.” Hodge said she is hoping for another successful year of Valentine Grams — but she’s also expecting plenty of procrasti nators will wait until just before Feb. 14. “The week before Valentine’s Day last year, we only had 19 scheduled. We ended up with 71. It was a little bit cra zy, but it was a good fundraiser,” Hodge said. “I’m hoping people will be more on top of it this year.” For more information: 678-522-5603 or email info@buckbeadgirlscboir.org. Make this the sweetest Valentine'. NothingBundtCakes.con FREE Service Call With Repair* ($89 Value) ^Normal business hours Mon - Fri. Not valid with any other offer. Expires Feb. 28th, 2013 $599 Furnace With purchase of AC unit. Expires Feb. 28th, 2013 R.S. Andrews AIR CONDITIONING HEATING PLUMBING $200 Instant Rebate towards any water heater Not valid with any other offer. Expires Feb. 28th, 2013 For lovers. Of dessert. . $5 OFF A 10” DECORATED CAKE Home Services Offered: (404) 236-2114 5975 Roswell Road, Suite A-103 Sandy Springs Valid 2/8/2013-2/28/2013. Limit one coupon per customer. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Redeemable only at the bakery listed. Must be claimed in-store during normal business hours. No cash value. • Plumbing Water Heaters • Plumbing Drain & Sewer • Plumbing Sinks & Bathtubs Repair & Refinish 404-618-0220 • www.rsandrews.com Story After Story, We Deliver Smiles! • Air Conditioning Repair, Maintenance & Installation • Heating Repair, Maintenance & Installation • Indoor Air Quality Products • Duct Cleaning Services • Plumbing Fixtures is***/. ° ! A H V @ www.ReporterNewspapers.netl FT®.8 — FT®. 21, 2013 | 11
