The Power of Singing Together

At Anima – Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus, we don’t subscribe to the idea that we either “can sing” or “can’t sing.” We believe that every child who wants to sing, can sing. Their job is to want to sing, and our job is to teach them how in a supportive, welcoming environment.

Anima rehearsals are…

  • Fun – to keep singers positive and engaged

  • Challenging – to help singers take risks

  • Supportive – to make singers feel valued

The joy of singing is universal, but singing in public can be intimidating, especially at first. Anima singers experience the immense power of choral singing to create community, as they are surrounded by others on their own paths of musical discovery and vocal development.

Benefits of Singing Together

Singing together does more than bring joy. It has the power to help children socially, emotionally, and academically.

Studies show that children who participate in choir have higher self-confidence (not just in their ability to sing but across the board), get better grades, and exhibit creativity and a strong sense self-esteem.

In a chorus, many voices come together to create one unique, fabulous sound. When children have to work together to create a unified sound that is wonderful, they use a range of interpersonal skills without even knowing it. Interpersonal skills, community building, and social emotional learning are intrinsic to community-based music making.

Singing in a chorus also enables children to better understand themselves and the world around them. When singers learn music from around the world, they are not only learning how to sing in a different language or different forms of music-making. They are also learning about cultures and histories that are different than their own. When Anima’s most advanced singers participate in tours either nationally or internationally, they are exposed to other people through the unifying power of music. And when singers perform with world-class professional organizations, they are exposed to professionalism that they will translate to their future careers.

Contributing to the Community

Anima – Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus is one of many options for students to expand their horizons outside of the academic school day. We believe singers should be able to sing with us while also participating in other activities that pique their interest and round out the whole person.

We also encourage our singers to participate in the many strong curricular and extra-curricular musical offerings in their own schools. Rising tides lifts all boats: A singer participating in Anima and at their school elevates both programs, as that singer is finding their voice and being exposed to music in multiple communities and through multiple voices.

Anima – Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus is committed to bringing the power of music to the greater DuPage County community. Whether it’s caroling in downtown Glen Ellyn and Wheaton, bringing joy to a local retirement community, or learning new music with area school choruses at SingFest, Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus is here to raise everybody’s spirits through the unifying power of song.