2006-07 was the first year in the development of a new concept in children’s choral music in the city of Detroit. The Detroit Children’s Choir program started in SW Detroit with a very successful collaborative summer arts camp in June, 2006, combining dance, singing and visual art. This led to the offering of a neighborhood children’s choir beginning in September 2006, SW Neighborhood Choir, through Living Arts Detroit, open to any 3rd – 8th grade child who wants to sing. This group rehearses weekly at Messiah Church and will accept new singers at this time for its third season.

 

Another aspect of this program is in-school choirs, which rehearse weekly during the school day and are currently running in four DPS schools across the city – Carstens Elementary, Guyton Elementary and Stark School of Technology in the lower East side and Nichols Elementary and Middle School in Indian Village.

 

School administrators interested in arranging for a Detroit Children’s Choir In-school choir at their school for the 2008-2009 school year, can do so at this time by contacting Carol Schoch, director, at 248-819-7191 or cmschoch@detroitchildrenschoir.org.

 

A new neighborhood choir program open to all 3rd - 8th graders was launched on the East side at Wayne County Community College District's Eastern Campus in September 2007. Both beginning and intermediate level choirs are offered at this location, with level assigned based on the participant's readiness.

 

The Detroit Children’s Choir, a combination of all of the 2006-2007 groups, had its official launch concert on May 12th, 2007 when they hosted the Chicago Children’s Choir’s Off the Street Club Choir in a collaborative performance presented by the Junior League of Detroit.

 

This year’s Spring concert will again be a collaborative one with members of the Chicago Children’s Choir’s Neighborhood Choirs and will be held at the Music Hall on Sunday, May 4th at 2 pm. Free admission!

 

For more information about the Detroit Children’s Choir, please contact Carol Schoch, Founder/Director at 248.819.7191 or cmschoch@detroitchildrenschoir.org