The Alexandria Choral Society Children's Chorus, in its sixth season under the direction of Kevin Carr and accompanist Sheila Epstein, is for girls and boys with unchanged voices from grades three through eight from the Alexandria area. Weekly rehearsals are held in a central location, with the chorus' first performance of the season in our Family Holiday Concert with the Alexandria Choral Society.

The Alexandria Choral Society Children's Chorus initiated its pilot program in September 2000 with partial funding from a Project Grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, based on the recommendation of the ACS Board of Directions and then Artistic Director, Kerry Krebill. For years, the Alexandria Choral Society had recognized a void in the cultural community for Alexandria area children. During the the Choral Society's 30th season, and the city's 250th year, ACS decided to give something substantial back to Alexandria in the form of an exceptional opportunity for auditioned elementary school students to experience the rewards of choral singing—through direct participation—and recognize the value of arts in their lives.

Kevin Carr, an experienced music teacher of children, ably and enthusiastically took over music directorship of the ACS Children's Chorus, under the artistic guidance of former Artistic Director Kerry Krebill. Mr. Carr works in weekly rehearsals in Alexandria with 55 children, whose ages range from 3rd through 10th grades, from September through early June. These children come to the chorus with many different ages, voice types, musical experiences, and personalities. Through this program, the choristers learn not only musicianship but also informal lessons in math, languages, and literature as well as invaluable skills in discipline, poise and teamwork.

The Alexandria Choral Society Children's Chorus made their concert debut in December 2000, performing four works alone and then joining the adult choir for the Daniel Pinkham Christmas Cantata and a sing-along of traditional carols. Their first solo concert was given in April 2001, and they appeared again with the adult chorus in June and December 2001. Their solo concerts are presented in the spring and they regularly perform with the adult chorus at the final concerts of each season.

Due to the immediate success of the group, the Chorus has expanded to include two tiers: a training choir (Dolce) and a more experienced choir (Bel Canto). Both groups rehearse regularly and perform in formal concerts and area appearances. During past holiday seasons, the Bel Canto group has performed at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel and both the Dolce and Bel Canto tiers have appeared at the National Gallery of Art as goodwill ambassadors from Alexandria, singing their own repertoire and leading community caroling. Plans for local appearances during the 2004-2005 season include Alexandria's arts celebration "Art on the Avenue" on October 2nd at 12:00 noon on the Children's Stage.

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