Our Impact

It is no exaggeration that The Honor Choir meaningfully impacts the lives of both its members and its community and uses its musical talents to foster empathy and hope in everyone it encounters. The Honor Choir emphasizes empathy, allowing them to learn how to be role models for their peers and uniquely recognize when someone needs help. Raising awareness for child abuse sometimes feels uncomfortable, especially for young people, but The Honor Choir does it in a way that is appropriate and allows members to have a role in combating the pain experienced by some children through their partnership with the Children’s Advocacy Center.

 
 

$24+

Thousand Dollars Raised

Over the years, the Honor Choir has participated in a total of 65 engagements with the Children’s Advocacy Center and donated to them $24,000.00.

10+

Years Serving the community

The Honor Choir was formed in 2009 to be a musical component of the Children’s Advocacy Center’s annual gathering in support of efforts to prevent child abuse.

150+

Choir members impacted

Since its inception, the Honor Choir has been privileged to have over 150 young people participate in the choir.

 

Highlights

 
 

2009-2012

In April 2009, the Children's Advocacy Center held their annual event at the Bastrop County Courthouse to bring people together who are deeply involved with the aim of preventing child abuse and neglect. Mr. Owens, being deeply involved with music in the community, was asked to select someone to provide a performance for the event. Being moved by the initiative, he put forth the idea of having children sing at the event - a decision that led to the formation of The Honor Choir and our continued committment to the CAC over the last 14 years. The event became known as "We Sing for The Children." The Choir's unique model became recognized in the community.

 

  • "We Sing for the Children," Decorated journals for the CAC, CAC Orientations annually.

  • Viet Nam Memorial casting at Heart of Texas Foundry, Vet’s Recognition, Red, White, and Blue Banquet, Pet and Pal Parade, Caroled on Main St., Sang for churches: First United Methodist Church, Bastrop Christian Church, Bastrop Christian Outreach Center, Calvary Episcopal Church, Pentecostals of Bastrop.

  • Sold crafts at Crafts Day downtown Bastrop

 
 

2013

The Choir was requested by the County Judge to recite the proclamation in recognition of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. The result was another recurring yearly involvement.

 

  • "We Sing for the Children", Worked their booth at the Back-to-School Bash At Commissioners’ Court read the Proclamation naming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, CAC Orientation, Donated stuffed animals

  • Performances Vet’s Recognition, Red, White and Blue Banquet, Caroled for Rotary State Convention at the Hyatt, Caroled on Main St., City Council Meeting, Pet and Pal Parade, Formal Christmas Concert at Calvary Episcopal Church, Sheriff’s Office Victim’s Services’ Tree of Angels, Sang at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Bastrop Public Library’s Open House, Back to School Bash, Sang for churches: Cowboy Church, Latter Day Saints, Bastrop Christian Church, Bastrop Church of Christ

  • Bake Sale

 
 

2014

Upon receiving an invitation from the director of the International Children's Choir Festival, which takes place annually in Canterbury and London, UK, Mr. Owens accepted, marking the beginning of the choir's yearly opportunity for enrichment. Alongside eleven other choirs from various countries, the choir demonstrated their vocal talents at Canterbury Cathedral and Southwark Cathedral in London.

 

  • Children’s Advocacy CenterSang for their annual fundraiser “Cowboys and Caviar,” "We Sing for the Children", CAC’s table at the Back-to-School Bash At Commissioners’ Court read the Proclamation. CAC Orientation Donated stuffed animals. Donated $3500

  • Performances MLK Scholarship Presentation Event, Yesterfest (benefiting Bastrop Opera House),Relay for Life, Vet’s Recognition, Red, White and Blue Banquet, Honor Choir Concert at the Performing Arts Center, Pet and Pal Parade, Back-to-School Bash, Sheriff’s Office’s Victims’ Services’ Tree of Angels, Honor Choir’s formal Christmas Concert at Calvary Episcopal Church, Caroled on Main St, Bastrop Public Library’s Open House, Sang at churches: Cowboy Church, First United Methodist Church, Bastrop Christian Church,

  • EnrichmentInternational Children’s Choir Festival in Canterbury and London, UK. Honor Choir Camp, Team Building at Port Aransas

  • FundraisersChristmas Market, Pine St. Market Days, Caroled on Main St. for donations

 
 

2015

After an enjoyable adventure to Yellowstone National Park the choir was inspired to integrate a charitable element into each of our summer enrichment trips. Before departing we collaborate with a local organization to organize a worthwhile activity or contribution. For instance, during our stay in Bozeman, we allocated an afternoon to entertaining patrons at a restaurant, where they could donate whatever they wished for their meal.

 

  • At Commissioners’ Court: Read the Proclamation "We Sing for the Children," CAC Orientation Donated stuffed animals Donated $3000

  • Yesterfest, Farmers’ Market, Lost Pines Toyota “Gumbo Friday,” Capitol Rotunda, Filmed a segment for “Locomotion Station," Pet and Pal Parade, Vet’s Recognition, Red, White, and Blue Banquet, Tree of Angels, Honor Choir’s Christmas Concert at Calvary Episcopal Church, Caroled on Main St with Sean Orr’s band, Bastrop Public Library’s Open House

  • Yellowstone National Park: Our “giving component” was our providing entertainment at a “pay as you can” restaurant in Bozeman. Songwriting Workshop with Jim Papoulis. Honor Choir solely and in collaboration with BISD singers, too. Team building: Port Aransas, and pool party at singer’s house Traveled to Houston to hear the Canterbury Choir Traveled to Houston to hear Libera Choir

  • Garage Sale, Pine St. Market Days

 
 

2016

A CAC fundraiser was attended by our Choir Leadership Groupwhere donated items were auctioned off. Despite the generosity of the other participants, we ended up outbidding them all and purchased an outdoor bench for the CAC office. This donation was our largest to date, totaling almost $11,000.

During our partnership with the West Los Angeles Children’s Choir, we traveled to the West Coast and collaborated with them to raise funds for a clean water project in Africa.

The Honor Choir - 2016

 

  • Commissioners’ Court: Read the Proclamation "We Sing for the Children", CAC Orientation CAC’s annual fundraiser “Lights, Camera, Texas” at Spiderwood Studios. Donated stuffed animals Donated $10,400

  • Smithville Jamboree, Yesterfest, Pet and Pal Parade, Gumbo Friday, Vet’s Recognition, Red, White, and Blue Banquet, Tree of Angels, Caroling on Main St., Honor Choir Christmas Concert, Bastrop Public Library’s Open House, “Bastrop Remembers: Recovery from the Fires”

  • Trip to Los Angeles: Collaborated with the West Los Angeles Children’s Choir. Our “giving component”: Collecting money for a clean water initiative in Cameroon. Collaborative concert with the Austin Children’s Choir Team building in Port Aransas Choir Leadership Retreat at the Renaissance Hotel in Austin

  • Spaghetti Supper, Crafts, Garage Sale, Pine St. Market Days, Mother’s Day Bakesale, Pancake Brunch and Concert, BBQ and Revue, Streetlamp Decoration Contest (We won!).

 
 

2017

Jim and Sophia Papoulis, whom we had become friends with, extended an invitation for The Honor Choir to attend a songwriting workshop in Boston. We felt privileged to be the only choir invited to their residence. As part of our charitable efforts in Boston we organized a benefit concert to raise funds for the Boston CAC.

 

  • CAC’s “Character Brunch:” we helped in the event Read the Proclamation "We Sing for the Children", CAC/YMCA event at Bob Bryant Park: we helped CAC Orientation Donated stuffed animals Donated $2000

  • Smithville Chamber of Commerce Banquet, D’Ette’s rehearsal studio, Smithville Jamboree: we sang at the Gazebo, Pet and Pal Parade, Patriotic Festival, Lost Pines Gumbo Friday, Sang at FUMC, Vet’s Recognition, Red, White, and Blue Banquet, Tree of Angels, Honor Choir’s Formal Christmas Concert at Calvary Episcopal Church, Caroling on Main St, Bastrop Public Library’s Open House, Carol at Argent Court

  • Boston and New York: Songwriting Workshop with Jim Papoulis. Our “giving component” was to do a concert to benefit the CAC in Boston. Choir party to celebrate those who are moving on Team building in Port Aransas

  • Pancake Brunch, BBQ and Revue, Sausage links at Tractor Supply, Saver’s Clothing fundraiser

 
 

2018

We express our gratitude to the singers for their dedication and commitment to the Choir by organizing an annual summer enrichment experience. Throughout the years we have had the privilege of visiting various destinations, including the UK, Yellowstone, LA, Boston, and New York. In 2018, we had the opportunity to participate in "Limerick Sings!," a festival in Ireland. As part of our charitable efforts during the event we hosted a benefit concert to support Ireland's 24-hour Hotline.

 

  • Commissioners’ Court: Read the Proclamation CAC Orientation Created “Journals for a Hard Journey” "We Sing for the Children", Go Blue! Day: made up the ribbons Distributed HotLine Posters in school restrooms Helped at CAC’s table at the Back-to-School Bash Donated stuffed animals Donated $3000

  • Sang at Baxter’s Restaurant, Vet’s Recognition, Red, White and Blue Banquet, Lost Pines Art Center Christmas Concert, Bastrop Public Library’s Open House, Sheriff ’s Office Victims’ Services Tree of Angels, Honor Choir’s formal Christmas Concert at Calvary Episcopal Church, A Joyous Christmas at the Performing Arts Center, Bastrop Christian Outreach Center Christmas Program, Caroled at nursing homes

  • Participated in Limerick Sings! (Our Ireland experience!) Our “giving component:” We did a benefit concert on behalf of Ireland’s Twenty- Four Hour Hotline Team building at our Plenary Annual Meeting

  • Fireside Tales: Conor MacAnally at Bastrop Opera House, Pancake Brunch, Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration

 
 

2019

Our annual summer enrichment trip in 2019 took us to New Orleans, where we joined ten other choirs to participate in the Crescent City Choral Festival. As part of our charitable initiative we prepared craft packages for children at the Crescent City CAC.

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic the world came to a halt in 2020 leading to the cancellation of the choir’s planned trip to Italy as well as any fundraising or performance opportunities.

 

  • “Bears of Hope” collection jars distributed around town Commissioners’ Court: Read the Proclamation "We Sing for the Children", “Paint it Blue” activity at Community Gardens Go Blue! Day: made up the ribbons CAC Orientation Donated stuffed animals Donated $2500

  • Sang at the State Capitol, Bastrop Christian Church, First United Methodist Church, Vet’s Recognition, Red, White, and Blue Banquet, Honor Choir’s Formal Christmas Concert at Calvary Episcopal Church, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Christmas Program at the Hyatt, Bastrop Public Library’s Open House, A Joyous Christmas at the PAC, Caroling at nursing homes

  • New Orleans: Crescent City Choral Festival. Our “giving component” was working all morning at the CAC preparing crafts project bags. Team building at our annual meeting, bowling party

  • Capital Campaign Mailout, Fish Fry at the VFW, Pancake Brunch, Raffle

 
 

2020

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic the world came to a halt in 2020 leading to the cancellation of the choir’s planned trip to Italy as well as any fundraising or performance opportunities.

 

  • Donated stuffed animals Performances FAITH rehearsed at nursing homes, Honor Choir sang at services at Bastrop Christian Outreach Center

    (COVID LOCKDOWN)

 
 

2021

During a choir workshop weekend at Port Aransas we had the opportunity to perform at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Corpus Christi. It was an unexpected pleasure to meet one of the directors of the Houston BoyChoir at the church. This serendipitous encounter resulted in our joint performance with them in a Houston concert. In turn, they reciprocated by making a stop in Bastrop during their own Summer enrichment trip and giving a concert at Calvary Episcopal Church.

 

  • Videotaped Go Blue! Day, Made up the ribbons for Go Blue! Day, Blue Garden day at Elgin Community Center Decorated coasters for the CAC Ribbon cutting at new facility Decorated journals Donated stuffed animals CAC Orientation

  • St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Corpus Christi, Bastrop Public Library’s Open House, Honor Choir’s Christmas Concert at Calvary Episcopal Church, first performance of new choir Cherubim, Calvary Episcopal Church’s services, Vet’s recognition, Red, White, and Blue Banquet, Homecoming Parade, The Honor Choir’s Christmas Float, Sheriff’s Office Victim’s Services’ Tree of Angels, Open House at Bastrop Public Library

  • Serenity Serengeti, “Choralography” Workshop in Port Aransas, Choir Leadership Retreat, team building at our annual Shebang meeting

  • Patriotic Festival (sold cold items), Gingerbread House, Raffle, Yard Sale at Frontier Bank

 
 

2022

In spring 2022, Bastrop Choral Festival was established, with The Honor Choir and several school choirs taking part. It is expected that this event will continue in the future.

Christmas Performance at the Bastrop Library - 2022

 

  • SpringFest, Go Blue! Day ribbons Donate stuffed animals Orientation

  • Bastrop Choral Festival, Vet’s Recognition, Red, White, and Blue Banquet, Hundred Year Anniversary of the Hopewell Rosenwald School, Bastrop Public Library’s Open House, Honor Choir Christmas Concert at Calvary Episcopal Church, A Joyous Christmas at the PAC, the Choir’s Float in the Christmas Parade. Enrichment FAITH to Houston to collaborate in a concert by Houston BoyChoir, Choralography and Choir Basics, CaringLife training for Choir presidents, Texas International Choral Festival, team building at our annual Shebang

  • Movies in the Park, Popcorn fundraiser, Sausage Wraps at Tractor Supply, Community Gardens Spirit Night, Panda Express Spirit Night, Rotary Club’s Christmas Party

 
 

2023

Canterbury - International Children’s Choir Festival - 2023

Once again, the Honor Choir was invited to travel internationally and participate in the International Children's Choir Festival, which takes place annually in Canterbury and London, UK. Alongside other choirs from various countries, the choir demonstrated again their vocal talents at Canterbury Cathedral and Southwark Cathedral in London.