Song of the Open Road: The Story of the Southern California Youth Chorale (2019)

In the tumultuous 60s and 70s, there was a music teacher who had a dream. K. Gene Simmonds dreamt of finding students who were bright, talented and adventurous, molding them into a chorale of his exacting standards and taking them around the world to perform. He combed the greater Southern California area and found teenagers willing and eager to explore other countries, expand their knowledge of their own heritage, spread good will and build bridges of understanding through music. Those selected would be challenged and encouraged to do their best and so the group rehearsed, performed and toured together. Singers, dancers and instrumentalists would bond together to become a family. Looking back, so many still treasure how being a member of the fantastic Southern California Youth Chorale changed their lives forever!