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ABOUT THE ST. LOUIS CHILDREN’S CHOIRS

With a mission of “shaping young lives through musical excellence,” for 37 years The St. Louis Children’s Choirs has been locally and nationally recognized for providing young singers across metro St. Louis with musical training and character building through quality choral literature and world-class performance opportunities.

Music draws children together as a unified team, dedicated to sharing beautiful choral music with others – regardless of who they are, where they live or what language they speak. Research demonstrates powerful academic, social and emotional benefits to children participating in quality music education programs. These benefits are particularly profound in underserved children, an audience the Children’s Choirs is committed to including.

OUR HISTORY

The St. Louis Children’s Choirs was established in 1978 by Diane Finley whose vision set the artistic and organizational foundation for the Choirs. In 1982, Ethelyn Sparfeld became Artistic Director and over the next 17 years the Choirs achieved national and international recognition. In 1985, the Choirs performed in Japan and in the years following they toured to Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and twice to Russia, as well as eight national choir tours. In 2015, the Choirs will perform in Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic.

In 1999, Barbara Berner was appointed Artistic Director of the St. Louis Children’s Choirs. Under Ms. Berner’s leadership, the Children’s Choirs has received eight awards from the National Endowment for the Arts and has served as the official children’s choirs of The St. Louis Symphony for more than 20 years.

The St. Louis Children’s Choirs is governed by a board of directors comprised of parent and community leaders who are devoted to the mission, success, and community outreach of the organization. The St. Louis Children’s Choirs is one of the largest children’s choir programs in the United States and has the privilege of working with the next generation of talented young St. Louis artists.

OUR PROGRAMS

Nearly 460 young singers (ages 6-18) from more than 200 schools and 85 zip codes in Missouri and Illinois rehearse weekly to bring their artistry and love of singing to the concert stage for all to enjoy. Children train in vocal techniques, music reading, choral singing and performing; learn artistry and expression; and develop key character and achievement skills.

Each season, students sing more than 120 classical and contemporary selections written by master composers and covering a variety of styles, including sacred, secular, jazz, gospel, folk, contemporary, and world music. Each ensemble performs in seven major seasonal concerts and at community outreach venues across St. Louis – for a combined total of more than 25 annual performances for 25,000 to 35,000 audience members each year (varies based on each season’s concert and tour schedule).

Music Education… for Our Students & Our Community


 * We strive to educate our entire community on the powerful benefits of choral music.


 * Concert repertoire includes a thoughtful combination of works from multiple cultures, languages and traditions, bringing diverse audiences together as one through the power of choral song.


 * Music reading and sight singing classes are offered to mid- and advanced level students.


 * Research and experience document unique academic, social and emotional benefits to children participating in choral programs. Youth who are actively engaged in music programs demonstrate increased social engagement, inclusion, motivation, goal-setting actions, grade point averages, graduation rates, college attendance and completion, career success, and mental/physical health.


 * In addition to quality choral learning, parents consistently report that singing with SLCC helps children become more confident, secure, disciplined, responsible, and inclusive of others – and nurtures a life-long love of singing and the arts.

Outreach & Inclusion


 * Music Teacher Workshop – Now part of our annual schedule, this professional development series helps music educators improve teaching and conducting skills and receive advanced accreditation (co-sponsored by Des Lee and UMSL). Des Lee and private donors provide scholarships for educators from underserved schools.


 * Music Made Together – In partnership with St. Louis Public Schools, this new professional development workshop was designed to help music educators and their students strengthen their choral conducting and singing skills, and was presented in November 2014.


 * Music Careers Workshop – Introduced in April 2014, this workshop includes an expert panel providing information to students interested in professional career paths in music (to be held every 2 years).


 * Serving St. Louis Through Song Community Tours – Every April, select ensembles perform in community outreach events for underserved audiences across metro St. Louis. These interactive performances help engage diverse audiences of children, teens, and adults. Audiences include those who often do not have an opportunity to hear and participate in the joy of live choral music: underserved schools, Griscom Juvenile Detention Center School, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and senior living residences.

OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

Featured Performances


 * Official children's choir of The St. Louis Symphony


 * Multiple performances at Carnegie Hall, The White House and Powell Symphony Hall


 * Performed at Lincoln Center in 2013 under guest conductor, Barbara Berner. Multiple youth choirs performed Beneath the African Sky, the story of Rwandan refugee Clemantine Wamariya.


 * Performed with Christine Brewer in the September 11th Interfaith Commemoration in Music in 2013


 * Choir members are often asked to perform with Opera Theatre St. Louis, The Muny, Stages

Recognition & Awards


 * Nine-time recipient of National Endowment for the Arts funding


 * Supported by Missouri Arts Council, Regional Arts Commission, Arts and Education Council


 * 2013 recipient of FOCUS St. Louis What's Right with the Region award

Outreach & Tours


 * Tours have included England, Austria, Germany, Scotland, Russia, Japan, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Australia


 * In June 2015, advanced Choirs will perform in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic


 * Each spring, beginning and intermediate choirs perform community outreach concerts around the metropolitan St. Louis area at underserved schools, the St. Louis Juvenile Detention Center, Children’s Hospital, and senior retirement centers