FAQ


Chicago Children’s Choir frequently asked questions and answers.

What is Chicago Children's Choir?
In 1956, the late Christopher Moore founded the multiracial, multicultural Chicago Children’s Choir at Hyde Park’s First Unitarian Church. He believed that youth from diverse backgrounds could better understand each other—and themselves—by learning to make beautiful music together. Today’s Choir is fully independent and serves all of Chicago from its home in the Chicago Cultural Center. Christopher Moore’s vision of a choir combining high artistic standards with a social purpose continues to define the Choir’s mission.

The Choir currently serves 2,800 children, ages 8-18 through choirs in 45 schools, after-school programs in eight Chicago neighborhoods, DiMension and the internationally acclaimed Concert Choir. Under Artistic Director Josephine Lee, the Emmy Award-winning Concert Choir has undertaken many highly successful national and international tours and has been featured in nationally broadcast television and radio performances, most recently on NBC’s Today show and the 2007 PBS series From the Top: Live from Carnegie Hall.

DiMension?
DiMension is a unique ensemble for young men with changing voices, or voices who have just changed including those in late elementary, middle school, and into high school. This ensemble also offers many performance opportunities with Neighborhood Choirs, the Concert Choir and independently.

Singers learn to understand their own voices through male ensemble singing, solo opportunities, sight reading, and music theory. Training and repertoire are specifically designed to guide young men through the vocal transition. Currently with 20 singers, they each receive a significant amount of individual attention while learning to sing a diverse repertoire with musicality, movement and expression.

The Concert Choir?
The Concert Choir, the top choir of the Chicago Children’s Choir, consist of singers ages 10-18. Its repertoire includes the finest classical and international music. The Concert Choir collaborates regularly professional Chicago Arts organizations. Members of the Concert Choir have performed throughout the United States and on international tours; in past years the Choir has visited Korea, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Japan, Russia, Great Britain, Europe and South Africa.

The Concert Choir consists of five smaller divisions: Treble Ensemble, an advanced treble choir; Chamber Ensemble, made up of high-school age girls; and Men’s Chorus, for boys whose voices have changed. In addition, Concert Choir members are eligible to audition for the special Madrigal Singers and Show Choir.

The Concert Choir rehearses 2-3 times a week and has an extensive performance schedule.

How does my child join Chicago Children's Choir?
Auditions for the after-school Neighborhood Choir Program are held throughout the months of September and January at each Neighborhood Choir location. There is also a general audition day held at the Chicago Cultural Center in early June.

The audition process for Neighborhood Choirs is quick and simple, open to boys and girls in the 3rd grade and up. A conductor will listen for the singer’s ability to match pitch, check any music reading skills, test for basic movement abilities, and hold one’s voice part against others.

At the Concert Choir level, all entering singers are expected to be able to read music. Particular emphasis is given to singing in tune, being able to hold one’s part in harmony, and singing with confidence. Auditions for this level will focus on these musical aspects and will also include a sight-singing and music theory test.

Auditions for the Concert Choir are held in June for the following school year.

How can my child's school have a Chicago Children's Choir In-School Program?
Chicago Children's Choir currently teaches in 45 Chicago schools. We are always looking to add more school partnerships in order to provide choral training opportunities to Chicago's youth. There are a variety of program plans to serve various Chicago school needs.

learn more about the In-School Program»

If interested, we encourage you to speak with your child's school principal, LSC, or contact Jocelyn Smith at (312)-849-8300 ext. 19.

© 2000-2009 Chicago Children's Choir. All rights reserved.   website design by xdevgroup & froeter design co.