DAVIS COUNTY—For 43 years “Kids are Music” choirs have been singing their way into people’s hearts all over the world. Now, the group has changed hands and have become “Amplify,” but the choirs will provide the same wonderful music that will continue to touch the soul. 

“I’ve been singing for 18 years,” said Jake Tesch, who bought the business in December 2023 along with his wife Amanda. “We put on a benefit concert to raise money for the organization Stand for Kind. We had groups from USU, children's choirs, Kids are Music and others. We were approached about starting a group in Davis County.”

Tesch said his wife posted on social media that they might want to acquire a business. “That night we heard from the Bischoffs (Janette and Mark) about selling their business. I was actually a part of Kids are Music from second grade through high school.”

It was a surreal moment, he said. “In November we met with them and in the course of a few weeks we purchased the choir on Dec. 14 – my birthday.”

All of the employees stayed, said Tesch. “Some had been working there for eight to 10 years.”

“Before COVID we had about 350,” said Janette Bischoff. “We’d taught for such a long time. It started out with one group and one teacher. It grew slowly and we added groups until we were doing seven to eight groups at one time.”

Kids are Music had kinder music for younger kids, choral editions for high school, and adult choir and show choirs, she said. “They performed all year round singing, dancing and acting.”

Bischoff had an elementary school degree and a minor in music and was a fifth grade teacher at Uintah Elementary. “I taught choir as well,” she said. “I was approached by some parents saying that I should move from Salt Lake and start a choir. I was already teaching privately so I thought I could do it.”

She and her husband did it together, said Bischoff. “He was always involved. But with his job he pulled back. We both met at Weber. We called it the ‘family farm’ because we started out with one child and now we have five and they sang all the way through. They would help lift risers, clean etc. I think they benefited from it too.”

The older choirs traveled to places like Prague, Czech, China and other countries, she said. “The younger choir performed in the states. There were great opportunities for that.”

A tour group would set up the venues and schedules, Bischoff said. “We sang acapella music so we’d start singing while we waited in line at tourist sites. We’d break into song spontaneously. Those are some of my most memorable things.”

Over the last four or five years, Bischoff said they’d started to think of an exit plan. “I’m 68 and Mark is 71. We thought someone could take it over and continue it on. But we didn’t want to sell it unless it was to the right people. We met Jake and Amanda and it seemed like a good fit.”

Amplify has given kids the opportunity to perform all over, said Jake. “It gives kids the chance to make a meaningful connection with other kids, get out of the house and it boosts their confidence.”

The group not only performs, they also visit schools to promote kindness. “We go to schools in Davis County,” said Jake. “We interact with the kids and talk about bullying and being kind to everyone and going out of their way to show they care. The older kids stay after and we talk about leading out and being examples to younger kids. It’s really meaningful.”

They also raise money for charities, he said. “My niece is Sarah Frei (who lost her legs in a car accident) that’s what spurred us on. We also have the Friendship Fund that we donate to kids whose parents have lost their jobs so that they can keep the kids enrolled. We’re trying to do a lot of good things.”

Amplify is in Ogden but Jake and Amanda are opening a location in Layton in the fall. “This is really fun,” said Jake. “I didn’t ever picture doing this. I feel blessed.”

Singing in a choir is good for kids’ health, he said. “It helps your brain, anxiety and connection. I want everyone to sing in a choir.”

For more information about Amplify visit amplifychoirs.com.