In concert chorus, singers continue their vocal development, learn to read music, and focus on imbuing their singing with musicality and expressivity.

Concert Choristers Learn…

• To apply solfège syllables to a new piece of music

• Sight singing in a variety of major keys, using moveable “do” and “la”-based minor

• Major key signatures

• Time signatures and more complex rhythmic patterns

• Musical concepts related to different musical forms and style periods

• To sing in unison, two parts, three parts, and a cappella

• Professional deportment and focus, musicality, and expressivity in performance

Repertoire

Concert Chorus music includes singing in two and three parts. Choristers are also introduced to singing in a different language. Songs are drawn from a variety of time periods and styles and expose singers to different historical events and cultures. Singers also learn basic choreography—both while singing and for exiting/entering stage.

Recent songs include:

• Birdsong, Paul Read

• Die Schwestern, Johannes Brahms

• Mrs. Galo, South African Xhosa song

Evaluations

At the end of each semester, each chorister will participate in a vocal and written evaluation. The purpose of these evaluations is twofold:

1. to inform artistic staff of what choristers have learned

2. to give choristers personalized feedback from artistic staff on their progress in a number of areas.

Evaluations are meant to be informative and are not punitive. For older students (fourth grade plus), evaluations do inform conductors’ decisions regarding potential early promotion of some singers.

Performance Opportunities

• Anima Winter Concert (with Treble and Touring Choruses)

• Anima Spring Concert (with Treble and Touring Choruses)

• Special projects/collaborations with professional arts organizations (these opportunities vary by year; recent collaborations include performances with Music of the Baroque, the Grant Park Music Festival, and Joffrey Ballet)