The Choir School Of Delaware Inc

TO PROVIDE MUSIC AND ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION TO YOUTH, WITHOUT REGARD TO THEIR RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION, EMPHASIZING EXCELLENCE IN THE RECITAL HALL AS WELL AS IN STUDENTS' LIVES, AND TO INSTILL IN THEM THE QUALITIES OF DISCIPLINE, RESPONSIBILITY, LEADERSHIP AND TEAMWORK.

IN OCTOBER, THE 2022-2023 JUBILEE SEASON CELEBRATED 140 YEARS OF SINGING AND 25 YEARS OF AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING. THE SEASON OPENED WITH THE THERE'S A PLACE FOR US: ANNUAL GALA CONCERT AT GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN WILMINGTON AND FEATURED POPULAR MUSIC FROM THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK AND BROADWAY.IN DECEMBER, THE CHOIR SANG IN PERSON AT THE CHRIST CHURCH GREEN SHOW IN WILMINGTON AND LESSONS & CAROLS AT ST. PETER'S CHURCH IN LEWES. THE CHOIR ALSO RETURNED TO GRACE FOR SOUNDS OF THE SEASON, ON DECEMBER 11, FOR A FESTIVE HOLIDAY CONCERT THAT INCLUDED JOHN RUTTER'S, GLORIA ACCOMPANIED BY BRASS ALONG WITH FESTIVE SELECTIONS CELEBRATING THE WINTER SOLSTICE, KWANZAA, AND HANNUKAH.IN FEBRUARY, THE CHOIR GAVE TWO PERFORMANCES OF MUSIC BY BLACK COMPOSERS IN CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH. OUR ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH CONCERT WAS HELD AT GRACE UMC. THE REPERTOIRE FOR WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS INCLUDED ROLLO DILWORTH'S WEATHER, A NEW WORK BASED ON A POEM OF THE SAME TITLE BY CLAUDIA RANKINE. THE PIECE HIGHLIGHTS THE TRAGEDY OF THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLYOD AND THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON SOCIETY AS A WHOLE.IN APRIL, THE CHOIR HAD OUR FIRST EARTH DAY CELEBRATION WITH OUR CONCERT AT GRACE UNITED METHODIST. SUN, MOON, STARS FEATURED FROM AROUND THE WORLD AND THROUGH THE AGES CENTERING ON THE BEAUTY OF OUR PLANET AND A CALL TO ENSURE ITS SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.WE PRESENTED THE PROGRAM, "MAKE THEM HEAR YOU" IN 6 PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE. THE MAKE THEM HEAR YOU PROGRAM FOCUSES ON THE HISTORY OF SPIRITUALS AND CODED LANGUAGE USED ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.THE CHOIR SCHOOL ENDED THE YEAR WITH A CELEBRATION OF LIFE IN OUR FINAL CONCERT OF THE SEASON, LUX AETERNA, WHERE WE RECOGNIZED THOSE WHO HAD PASSED DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND CELEBRATED ALL THE BEAUTY THAT LIFE BRINGS.THE CHOIR SCHOOL'S FLAGSHIP AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM OPERATES MONDAY-THURSDAY DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR. CHOIR SCHOOL VANS TRANSPORT STUDENTS FROM SCHOOL TO OUR BUILDING, WHERE THEY ENJOY A MEAL, TUTORING, ONE-ON-ONE MENTORING, VOICE AND PIANO LESSONS, CHORAL REHEARSALS, INTERDISCIPLINARY WORKSHOPS, AND OTHER SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL PROGRAMMING. STUDENTS WHO JOIN OUR PROGRAM ENTER AS BEGINNERS, WITH NO REQUIREMENT FOR PRIOR MUSICAL ABILITY OR KNOWLEDGE. THEY ARE DISTINGUISHED BY THEIR LOVE OF SINGING AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO A RIGOROUS, REWARDING MUSICEDUCATION. THE PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY OPERATING AT CAPACITY (45 STUDENTS).THE CHOIR SCHOOL ENTERED A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH WITH BRANDYWINE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND HARLAN ELEMENTARY TO BRING CHOIR SCHOOL PROGRAMMING ON-SITE TO HARLAN FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES K-5. THE PROGRAM BEGAN IN JANUARY 2023 AND CONTINUED THROUGH THE SCHOOL YEAR AS WELL AS A 5-WEEK SUMMER CAMP. STUDENTS RECEIVED ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT, MUSIC TRAINING, AND MEALS AS PART OF THE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM. IN THE SUMMER, THIS PROGRAM WAS THE ONLY FULL-DAY PROGRAM TO BE OFFERED WITHIN THE DISTRICT. STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN IN ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT, MUSIC TRAINING,AND FIELD TRIPS, AND PRESENTED A TALENT SHOW AT THE END OF THE CAMP.THE CHOIR SCHOOL OPERATES AN ANNUAL MUSICAL THEATER SUMMER CAMP THAT SERVES 60 STUDENTS AGES 10-18. OVER THE COURSE OF FIVE WEEKS, STUDENTS EXPERIENCE ALL ASPECTS OF A MUSICAL THEATER PRODUCTION INCLUDING PERFORMANCE, STAGE MANAGEMENT, ACCOMPANIMENT BY A PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA, AND COACHING FROM PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ARTISTS. CAMP CULMINATES IN PUBLIC PERFORMANCES. WITH TWO SOLD-OUT SHOWS AND OVER 600 AUDIENCE MEMBERS FOR THEADDAMS FAMILY IN 2023, OUR ANNUAL MUSICAL HAS BECOME OUR MOST WELL-ATTENDED EVENT. THE 2024 MUSICAL HAS NOT YET BEEN SELECTED.IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE "SUMMER SLIDE", ACADEMIC SUPPORT IS BUILT INTO THE DAILY CAMP SCHEDULE. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKE PSAT/SAT PREP COURSES WHILE YOUNGER STUDENTS HAVE READING, MATH, AND SCIENCE. THIS IS AN EFFORT TO ADDRESS WEALTH AND RACIAL INEQUALITY: WEALTHIER STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO ENRICHING SUMMER PROGRAMS OR TUTORING THAT OUR SUMMER CAMP PARTICIPANTS CANNOT AFFORD. AS SUCH, WE ARE COMMITTED TO KEEPING SUMMER CAMP TUITION-FREE FOR ALL AND PRIORITIZING ACADEMIC SUPPORT.SUMMER CAMP'S MUSIC EDUCATOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, WHICH LAUNCHED IN THE SUMMER OF 2023, IS EXPECTED TO GROW IN THE SUMMER OF 2024. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS 16-18 ASPIRING YOUNG ARTISTS OF WORKING AGE BY PAYING THEM A WAGE AS THEY RECEIVE MENTORSHIP, MASTER CLASSES, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT.