Requirements for a successful program – it must involve:
- certified arts educators
- non-arts educators
The first question that is usually asked is “What are the kids gonna sing?” This is not a hugely important question though, because WHY you want to do this work as an organization is really the first question to be asked.
We are not bringing arts and culture to a community. THEY ALREADY HAVE IT.
Alysia Lee, Sister Cities Girlchoir
El Sistema for choruses. Started in 2012. Now in year 5, 450 singers in 3 states, 3 cities (Philly, Camden, Baltimore). Cross-city/state collaboration. Girlchoir Academy – community driven, audition-free process, starts with a recruitment process at the school with the music teacher, administration, and social worker to identify the right girls.
School ensembles, after-school. School must have a music teacher, must be a Title 1 school, must be an experienced partner with Sister Cities Girlchoir. This builds experience with the school so that they understand and are willing to support the requirements of the program.
In all three cities where this program works, prinicipals have budgetary discretion. Schools must provide transportation. Connection with principal, and extend to parent and staff committees.
Julie Haydon, Cantare Con Vivo, Oakland, CA
In Oakland, there is no choral or general music in the public schools. Partner schools are K-2 and K-5 students. Kodaly programs. Tuition free after-school choir programs for grades 3-5. Choirs rehearse on school campus to minimize transportation barriers. Program info provided in multiple languages. Youth choirs represent their schoool by performing at neighborhood events. Nova: City wide Tuition free choir for 6-12 graders. Long term consistent partnerships with 6 Title 1 schools whose missions align with Cantare’s. Program is tailored to the needs of each school: bilingual immersion programs; interdisciplinary units that connect to classroom curriculum such as Music of California History.
Cantare has a collaboration with Williams University, which places music ed grad students in classrooms where there is a master teacher. Julie says she gets a chance to work with many wonderful master teachers, who Cantare often eventually hires as staff!
Lauren Southard, Director of Outreach and Choir Programs, Indianapolis Children’s Choir
- Early Childhood Programs – regional locations
- Prep Program (1st-3rd grades) – regional locations
- Children’s Choir Division (Auditioned, 4th-9th grade), Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Choir Levels – regional locations for Beginning Choirs only
- High School Division – they are willing to step in and offer a program if the local public school does NOT have a choral program
- Special Needs Division – Jubilate Choir (non-auditioned, all-abilities)
- Neighborhood Choir Academy
- Summer Programs – all ages, Choral Fest Summer Camps, Mus Theater Camps, Prep and EC
- Columbus, Indiana Children’s Choir (CICC)
- Anderson Area Children’s Choir
Pam Shortall, Assoc Dir for School and Community Partnerships, Chicago Children’s Choir
Mission – to inspire and change lives through music. Founded 1956, through the civil rights movement, bringing black and white students together to perform music from each others’ cultures. Core values: education, expression, excellence
Membership: 40% African American, 28% Latino, 25% Caucasianm 6% Asian, 4% other; 76% elementary
In-school choir program – 4K students, 85 schools, 106 choirs, 40+ community areas served
- DiMension – unique ensemble for young men with changing voices, domestic touring opportunities, opportunities to perform with Voice of Chicago
- Neighborhood Choirs
- Voice of Chicago
Paula Marquez, Exec Program Dir, Detroit Children’s Choir
Their program services 300+ youth a year. They find grants, they go into the schools. Almost 3/4 of schools are without arts AT ALL. Programs are free for them, during school year, transportation provided.
DCC —- Civic Choirs and In-School Programs
Speech and Singing 