The CODA Chorus is committed to community outreach!
We participate annually in several events to spread the joy of music, such as singing for local nursing homes, hospitals, and community events. CODA has been a regular participant in the Winthrop Holiday Parade.
If you have a community event you would like the CODA chorus to take part in; please let us know!
Jeanette Cumber Music Scholarship
The CODA Chorus thinks it is essential to promote young musicians! To promote the study of music, every year since 1986, CODA Chorus awards the Jeanette Cumber Music Scholarship to a deserving student with an invested interest in music from Winthrop, Monmouth, or Maranacook on a rotating basis.
2022 Award Winner, John Ellis
John Ellis is a senior at Winthrop High School. He has participated in music throughout the entirety of his school career, gaining much encouragement from his family. This includes his parents as well as CODA member Kenneth Bell, a former music teacher. John has played the trumpet since 5th grade and has been singing since the 4th grade. Once in middle school, John participated in several plays and musicals, one of the most notable being a lead role in the Lion King Jr. musical, and continued with his trumpet as well.
Once entering high school, John continued on his musical journey by joining the chorus and band, while also adding theater to his repertoire. While part of this program, John added significant acting credits as part of the One-Act Play Competitions, which earned him an individual award in 2020 for his outstanding performance. In addition, John has participated in solos with his chorus as well as performed as a soloist at the annual Cabaret Show.
In the classroom, John is also a leader, being inducted into the National Honors Society and carrying a caseload that included advanced placement classes, while also earning a spot on the honor roll.
John and his parents, Matthew Ellis, Lisa Nichols, and Kevin Nichols, are very grateful for the scholarship given by the CODA chorus to allow him to continue his adventures in singing. This has allowed John to pursue individual instruction and grow in his talents, and pursue an avenue that brings him great joy.
Next year John will be attending the University of Maine system by starting at UMA and majoring in the social sciences.
Thank you again for this opportunity,
John, Matthew, Lisa, and Kevin
