The Chorus of Westerly Children's Program
Since 1959, The Chorus of Westerly Children's Program has transformed the lives of over 3,000 children with the power of music.
Children participate in world-class choral singing, from Westerly's iconic Summer Pops to international tours, the Chorus of Westerly provides a truly unique experience for young singers.
Program Information & Expectations
The Children's Program within the Chorus is a multi-tiered after school program at Kent Hall. The Chorus offers numerous programs that center around both performance and music education. We believe in providing an inclusive program that provides rich cultural experiences that contribute to a thriving community, as well as aiding children in acquiring knowledge and skills for independent musicianship that will serve them throughout their lives.
Prior musical training, voice lessons, music classes, or any musical background is not required for children and teenagers to become involved in the Chorus of Westerly. It is our task and joy to teach your child!
Every child singer in the Chorus receives at least two hours of rehearsal per week. Singers practice repertoire and develop musicianship skills that prepare them to be independent and confident musicians. Rehearsals take place after school and early evening on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. All child members have the option to attend the Chorus Summer Camp (see below).
Depending on age and musical experience, children are placed into one of three levels within the Children's Program:
Level 1:
Training
Choristers
This level is for the newest and youngest singers in the Chorus of Westerly, generally ages 8 to 10 years. The level is designed to teach the emergent singer music fundamentals, provide and allow for healthy vocal development, and prepare them to sing advanced choral music. The training choristers work both with music director Andrew Howell and music education director Dr. Audrey Cardany to grow their musicianship skills. While they do not participate in the fall and spring classical concerts, Training Choristers sing in a variety of performances throughout the season including both Christmas Pops and Summer Pops.
Level 2:
Junior
Choristers
This program first served as a secondary and more advanced level of training choir, and now generally includes children with demonstrable basic music skills of ages 8 through 12 years. Musicianship skills and vocal training continues in this level with Andrew Howell. Junior Choristers also sing in a variety of performances throughout the season including both Christmas Pops and Summer Pops, but also have the opportunity to sing in the fall and spring classical concerts contingent on readiness.
Level 3:
Full
Choristers
This level includes children who have passed an audition and/or have been singing with the ensemble for a period of time sufficient to the music director's assessment, or new children who come into the program with very strong singing ability and musical skills. Full Choristers commit to an extra hour of rehearsal time with Andrew Howell each week. Full Choristers sing with the adult singers on every performance in the symphonic season and are members (musically) of equal rank. Teen Tenors and basses sing with the adult singers on Tuesday evenings and receive additional instruction with Dr. Cardany biweekly.
Musicianship Curriculum
What do we mean by "musicianship?"
Musicianship is the term used to describe musical skills - and is a huge part of what we work to develop in our singers through our children's program. Special musicianship instruction is embedded in the rehearsal schedules of all levels of choristers during the academic year (and throughout camp week). The children at the various levels are instructed differently, but the fundamental goal remains the same.
Young children learn through play and demonstrate music understanding through moving, singing, and when ready, reading and manipulating (e.g., writing, reordering, categorizing) iconic representations of sound. Children develop their musicianship through a continued “ear” and “voice” approach—aural/oral. Music understanding progresses from active listening, moving, and singing to reading and writing symbolic representations of sound including standard notation, tonic solfage, and Curwen hand signs. Adult learners require a specialized approach, whereby musicianship skills are approached abstractly (using symbolic and theoretical resources) and concretely (using sound to sight processes). Materials used for teaching musicianship are drawn from folk and composed music.
Chorus
Summer Camp
All children and teenagers of the Chorus of Westerly who are 8 or older are eligible to attend our annual Children's Chorus Camp held each August. This overnight camp is held at the Episcopal Conference Center in Pascoag, RI. This camp provides our children with a variety of music making and community building activities and experiences that positively contribute to their development. Activities include different musical rehearsals and workshops as well as other activities, such as swimming, tennis, crafts, and more!
Call 401-596-8663 to learn more.
How to Join:
Step 1: Schedule an appointment!
Call 401-596-8663 or email info@chorusofwesterly.org to schedule an appointment with our music director, Andrew Howell. This appointment is to meet your child and assess what level in the program they should be placed in. In this meeting, Andrew will also talk through rehearsal schedules, expectations, and additional programs available to your child. The parent or caregiver is expected to attend the meeting with their child.
Step 2: Start making music!
After the first meeting and audition your child will be placed in one of the three levels, and they will begin rehearsing and learning!
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QUESTIONS?
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To learn more about the Symphonic Children's program, please email info@chorusofwesterly.org or call the Chorus of Westerly Box Office at 401-596-8663!