Children's choir director Carolyn Welch

Carolyn Welch, artistic director of the Lawrence Children’s Choir, often thinks of choir instruction in terms of cooking — you have to start with high-quality ingredients in order to get the best possible results, she said.

As director of four youth choirs ranging from kindergarten to 10th grade, Welch said this means not only picking interesting music but also making sure it’s a good fit with where students’ voices are at developmentally.

“The entire process is endlessly creative,” she said. “There’s so many ways you can put things together, and it’s really fun. A good piece of music is a very powerful thing.”

And just as the cook is important, the director of a choir plays a pivotal role. David Carttar, whose three daughters have participated in LCC, said Welch’s attitude and enthusiasm for music inspires students to do the best they can.

“It’s really this joyful spirit that I think she brings that really makes her stand out,” Carttar explained.

Welch has had various roles at LCC since moving with her family to Lawrence in 1996, including assistant artistic director and language coach. Welch taught vocal and choral music for Lawrence public schools from 1996 to 2013 and assumed the role of artistic director at LCC in 2012. Welch said the position combines two things she loves: music and working with kids.

“To be able to combine making high-quality music with working with incredible young people is really something,” she said.

And Welch’s love for music paired with a disciplined method creates the perfect balance, Carttar noted.

“She has very high expectations for the quality of work that her kids need to be responsible for,” he said.

The Kansas Music Educators Association honored Welch with its Outstanding Music Educator Award for the Northeast District in Middle Level Choir in 2014. Janeal Krehbiel, who cofounded LCC and served as director until her retirement in 2012, credits Welch’s success to both well-thought-out choices and good instincts.

“Those who succeed are those who really spend a lot of time choosing literature, creating plans to teach the music in the most artistic and efficient way,” Krehbiel said. “She is one of those who can do that.”

In addition to the youth choirs, Welch also directs the LCC senior citizen choir, which puts on a concert with youth choirs twice per year. Welch said she has loved working with the seniors and that the combination concert benefits both groups.

“The seniors are thrilled to be a part of something with so much youthful energy,” she said, “and it’s a great experience for the kids to see music making as a lifelong source of satisfaction and joy.”

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