“Vivace” – music in a brisk and spirited manner – is the focal point of a choir and instrumental ensemble being created by veteran educator Barbara Pinto-Choate.
Forming the ensemble is the subject of an informational meeting set for this Sunday afternoon at the Manteca Presbyterian Church at Main and North streets.
She is developing a choir of 45 to 50 singers as well as an instrumental group in a bid to develop a full orchestra.  The choir – with many already signed up – is going to explore several different types of music that will include classical, jazz, gospel, musical theatre “and whatever else might be fun to sing and play,” Choate noted.
The informational meeting is set for 2 p.m. at the church where she hopes to determine where everyone is in their singing performance levels and to discuss scheduling, frequency of rehearsals and performances.  She hopes to guide her performers through the full gamut of musical productions.
The adult group is open to the community with plans in the works to add a youth choir and instrumental ensemble, a children’s choir and possibly a choir chime or hand bell choir under the RENEW Educational Solutions & Bella Music Company.
Choate has been a director of musical theater productions along with being a choral director and director of music for several churches such as Catholic and Lutheran congregations including St. Anthony’s of Manteca.   She has also created training materials and on-site training opportunities for cantors, accompanists, student and colleagues. 
She is currently arranging vintage jazz compositions for a solo and duet album to be released in January of next year.
She is a member of the American Choral Conductors Association and the National Association of Teachers of Singing along with new contemporary worship music for publication summer, 2018.
Her certifications and accreditations include a California Lifetime K-12 Single-Subject Teaching Credential in Music and a Career Technical Education Teaching Credential that includes:
Arts, Media, and Entertainment
Manufacturing and Development
Marketing, sales and Services
Education, Child Development and Family Services
Hospitality, Tourism, Recreation

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.