Those Who Give Back: Dr. John Alston

in Giving Back by Margo Smith — March 15, 2011 at 10:24 am | 0 comments

Without music life would be a mistake.

- Nietzsche

Dr. John Alston, of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, has found his voice; more importantly he has helped others find theirs. He began this choir with the desire to create something that, as he states, sounded beautiful. He says he was not looking beyond that goal and the desire to have a well-rounded résumé. Now there are at least 120 in the Children’s Choir and more flock to them each month. They have a mission statement, give public performances and are changing lives. Their goal is reflected by their maxim:  We use music to build strong voices, strong minds, strong spirits.

Dr. Alston candidly admits he did not set out to serve or change the world when he initially began this endeavor. In his own words, he says,

”I was a little selfish when I started the chorus. It was very much John-driven, and it took a while for me to get beyond that. I wasn’t paying attention to the kids. The idea of training a professional boys’ chorus was ill informed, shall we say. All I imagined early on was creating something that sounded beautiful. That was the mission, to create something that sounded beautiful.”

Someone to Believe in Them

The CSM quotes Darius Thomas, a 13-year-old choir member: Alston “’made something out of nothing’” the young boy stated, referring to himself. This youth is now interested in continuing his education and eventually becoming a member of the CIA, but when Alston found him he was failing the fifth grade. Now this young boy increases the numbers and harmony of the Chester Children’s Chorus.

Dr. John Alston comes highly qualified for the job of training singers. He has studied music and now uses his knowledge to help others with their musical ambitions. He earned his B.M.at Yankton College in South Dakota, was awarded an M.M. from the University of Northern Iowa and received his D.M. from Indiana University. He is the Associate Professor of Music at Swarthmore College and instructs students on improvisations in jazz, but also in the more technical area of music theory and notation.

What began as just 7 children in an after-school program has become a choir and school for the arts. CUSA, or Chester Upland School of the Arts, was awarded a grant from the Sunshine Lady Foundation in June of 2010 to enable Dr. Alston to continue to reach out to the children and families of Chester, PA., a neighbor of well-to-do Swarthmore. The foundation awarding the money stated of CUSA that it is “the most likely-to-succeed partner we have worked with to date.”

He reaches out to these children in a multitude of ways. They have outings at museums, learn the rigors of practice and feel the thrill of applause. According to John, though, there is one lesson that is as important as any musical talents they gain. “Mostly, they learn that they matter,” he affirms.

What a world it could be if each of us started out to follow a dream and let ourselves be diverted to do just one thing that would help our communities. Each of us can do something that no one else can. Oh, it might not be painting or dancing, singing or sculpting or any of those visible and artsy talents, but you can do something. You can teach someone something. And your specific contribution will be done with a flair that no one else can mimic. You have people that your talent can touch; are you reaching out to them?

About the Author

Margo Smith graduated with a B.S. degree from BYU. She lives along the Wasatch Front and loves the beauty and solidity of the Rocky Mountains she calls home. She blogs about educational trends today, and loves to write about a smattering of topics from thrill seeking tours at Moab to keeping your family on a budget.

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