The New America Singers, a 40-voice ensemble selected from the California Baptist All-state Youth Choir, will appear in concert 7 p.m. Monday at the Exciting First Baptist Church, 1696 Highway 395, Minden.
Since 1984, the Singers have shared their happy music and positive message throughout North and South America, Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia. They have been featured performers at Baptist World Youth Conferences in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Glasgow, Scotland and Harare, Zimbabwe.
Other recent performances include state and national conventions, churches, school assemblies, theme parks and fairs, military installations and in the Super Bowl half-time show.
Among the singers last year were Carson Valley residents Matt Wayne and Anthony Janssen. This year, Charlie Hodge of Fish Springs is among the singers. They will be taking a tour to China this summer.
The Singers range in age from 13 to 23 and attend high schools and universities throughout California. They are selected on the basis of their musical ability, personality, dependability, appearance and leadership potential. The teens provide for most of their own travel expenses and usually stay in private homes provided by the local hosts.
Directors Ted and Betty Campbell have long been promoters of teens and touring. Since 1970 they have helped more than 2,000 young people sing for more than 100 million people throughout the world. In addition to music groups, they have led groups specializing in basketball, media presentations, puppetry, drama, building projects and mission projects.
To the Campbells, traveling implies a disciplinedlife-style, with extensive training in performing skills, character development, leadership qualities and moral and spiritual development. Their books are being used by directors around the world to train their own traveling groups.
