Listen: The Appalachian Children's Chorus on WVPB

The choir director of the Appalachian Children’s Chorus has some heartwarming goals for her choir and for their upcoming concert this December. Artistic and Founding director Selina Midkiff says, “One of the things I want to do in my space is to create, first of all, a safe place for children–they are safe here. And then I want us to spread the joy and spread that feeling wherever we go.” Mrs. Midkiff says that these goals are accomplished not necessarily because of her but because of the atmosphere the children create. “Its been decades of these children building this environment.”

They have an upcoming concert exploring these ideas called “Peace, Joy, and Harmony” on December 8th at 4 PM at Charleston Baptist Temple. They’ll be singing beautiful selections such as “See Amid the Winter’s Snow” and fun songs like “Joy in Jerusalem”. Tickets are still available on their website.

Lalena Price, WVPB
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A behind the scenes look at the ACC on WVPB

They also recently came to our studios here at WVPB to sing for us and talk to us about what they do to help gear us up for the holiday season. Mrs. Midkiff walked us through several great pieces and we got to hear from a couple of choristers about their experience in the Appalachian Children’s Chorus. Click the player below to check out the segment.

Ex-Youth Choir Exec in West Virginia Admits to Embezzlement

A West Virginia woman has admitted to stealing about $98,000 from a youth choir organization.

News outlets report 51-year-old Jacqueline Holly Portillo of Hurricane pleaded guilty Monday to four felony embezzlement counts.

Kanawha County prosecutors say Portillo stole from the Appalachian Children’s Chorus from March 2010 through August 2017 through the use of business credit cards and bank accounts and concealed it by submitting false bank statements to accountants. Portillo is the nonprofit group’s former executive director.

Prosecutors say Portillo used the funds for personal travel and purchases for herself and family members, and for veterinary treatment and training for her dogs.

Portillo faces up to 10 years in prison. Sentencing has been set for July 30.

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