The Princeton Girlchoir

PRESS RELEASE October 27, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Janet Perkins
Executive Director
609.688.1888
Fax: 609.688.1838

Princeton, New Jersey – The Princeton Girlchoir Board of Directors today announced that Artistic Director Janet A. Westrick will step down in July 2009. Ms. Westrick will continue her involvement in the choir she founded in 1989 in an advisory capacity as Artistic Director emerita. A national search for her successor is now under way and one is expected to be named by April 2009.

Ms. Westrick shared her decision with the Princeton Girlchoir community in a letter to families. "In our history, we have had wonderful people along the way who have helped us on various projects, from becoming a 501(c)(3) organization to getting suitable office space. I have such respect and admiration for all our supporters, too numerous to name, who worked so tirelessly to help us become bigger and better," says Ms. Westrick. "I have always had a good sense of timing, and I am certain that this is the right time for me and for the organization."

A Long Love Affair with Music

Ms. Westrick, an accomplished music educator and choral director, is an honors graduate of Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, has done graduate work at Western Michigan University and Westminster Choir College, and is certified in both Kodàly and Orff instruction. She founded the Princeton Girlchoir 20 years ago as an after-school activity for a small number of middle school girls and she currently directs the Concert Choir and its select ensemble. The organization has since grown into the area's premier girls' choral training and performance organization with over 200 choristers ages 8 to 18 in five auditioned choirs.

In addition to her work with the Princeton Girlchoir, Ms. Westrick is parish musician for Christ the King Lutheran Church in Kendall Park, NJ, where she plays the organ and directs the adult and children's choirs. In 2005, she retired from her position as Chair of the Music and Performing Arts Department at Princeton Day School, having worked at the school since 1983, first as a music teacher in the Lower School, then as general music and choral music teacher for the Middle School.

In April 2008, Ms. Westrick was inducted into the Hamilton City Schools Fine Arts Hall of Fame in Hamilton, Ohio. She was the 1997 recipient of the Women of Distinction Award for the World of the Arts presented by the Delaware-Raritan Valley Girl Scout Council, and a recipient of the 2005 Princeton YWCA Tribute to Women Award.

Gala Concert Set for May 30, 2009

The Princeton Girlchoir will celebrate its 20th anniversary and honor Ms. Westrick with a gala concert in the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton on May 30, 2009. The concert, where favorites from throughout the Princeton Girlchoir's history will be performed, will also feature the world premiere of a choral work by Paul Caldwell commissioned for the occasion to be performed under his direction. Mr. Caldwell recently retired as Music Director of The American Boychoir's summer program, Camp Albemarle, and is an internationally known composer, arranger, and conductor.

Princeton Girlchoir Enjoys Strong Past, Present and Future

The Princeton Girlchoir performs extensively in the Princeton area, actively collaborates with noted composers, conductors, and musical organizations, and alternates national and international summer tours. The organization's alumnae number almost 400 young women, many who continue to sing in their schools, churches, communities, and on stages around the world.

More information on the Princeton Girlchoir, upcoming performances, and details of the Artistic Director position are available on the web at princetongirlchoir.org.

More About the Princeton Girlchoir

The mission of the Princeton Girlchoir, a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1989 by Janet A. Westrick, is to provide excellence in choral education and performance opportunities, while inspiring confidence, character, and a lifelong love of making music together. It is the area's premier girls' choral training and performance organization. Princeton Girlchoir includes five auditioned choirs beginning with the youngest preparatory choirs, the Grace Notes and the Semi-Tones. The Concert Choir, its select Ensemble, and the Cantores, are for older, more advanced singers. Choristers from towns throughout Central New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania come together each week from September through May to study and perform choral music of the highest caliber, covering all genres and periods. The Concert Choir touring company travels each summer, alternating between national and international locations.