Welcome to a new school year! There's always something exciting happening at the Choir School, so we're launching a monthly newsletter to keep friends in the loop!

“My camp friends are the BEST people that anybody can meet. They are good friends to me, they listen to me whenever I have a problem, they listen to me whenever I’m happy… they’re just really nice. And the teachers are really great.” - Jackson, age 10

Jackson joined the Choir School during this year's Summer Camp. We’re thrilled that Jackson and several of his peers decided to stick around and join our after-school program!

We held our annual Back to Choir School Night last Wednesday. It was the PERFECT start to the year! Families, students, and singers gathered at Debnam House to share a potluck dinner. After dinner and a family meeting, we sang in our first rehearsal of the year.

Student enrollment is on the rise! We have 40 students in our after-school program, up from about 30 last year, and we are still welcoming more!

Do you know a kid age 7-17 who likes to sing

or needs after-school care?

We are celebrating our Jubilee Season with FIVE inspiring concerts! This season marks the 140th anniversary of our historic, intergenerational choir and the 25th anniversary of our comprehensive after-school program. We hope you will join us as we celebrate! Subscribe to save 15% on all concerts!

The first event of the Jubilee Season is right around the corner! Please join us for There’s A Place For Us, our annual Gala and Benefit Concert.

October 15, 2022, 6:00pm

Concert at Grace United Methodist Church

Reception, festivities, and more music to follow at Sheraton Suites

The Gala, our most anticipated event of the year, is a light-hearted evening filled with food, friends and fun, plus a cabaret-style performance featuring Broadway show tunes and toe-tapping numbers from the Great American Songbook. Tickets are $125 and proceeds directly support our students.

We're thrilled to welcome two new team members: Malcolm Richardson is our new Director of Education and Programming, and Sophia DiLeo is our new Executive Assistant!

Plus, join us in congratulating Brittney Stanton on her promotion to Deputy Director and Assistant Conductor! Brittney has been an invaluable part of our team since she joined us as Director of Education and Assistant Conductor in 2019. We're so lucky to have her leading us in this new role.

From left: Malcolm Richardson, Sophia DiLeo, and Brittney Stanton

Check out our season announcement in Out and About Magazine and a shoutout to our after-school program in the Delco Times! 

ACADEMY OF VOCAL ARTS’ GIARGIARI BEL CANTO COMPETITION 

September 30, 2022 at 7:30 PM

Perelman Theater, Kimmel Cultural Campus

Philadelphia, PA

Let your voice be heard! An evening of vocal fireworks and beautifully sung arias awaits you! For over 40 years, this competition has showcased the brightest of up-and-coming opera stars. Join them for the annual favorite singing competition, where they’ll compete against each other in song. You’ll also have the opportunity to vote for your favorite singer! For tickets, please visit the Kimmel Center’s website or call 215-893-1999.

Join AVA for another thrilling season of opera! Subscribe today and save to see La traviata, Don Pasquale and Don Giovanni, plus concerts and recitals throughout the season. Visit avaopera.org or call 215-735-1685.

THE SANKOFA PROJECT: A JOURNEY THROUGH BLACK MUSIC AND ARTISTRY

Saturday, September 10th, 2022 at 5:00pm

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Germantown

Philadelphia, PA 

Conceived and Curated by Patrick Dailey, countertenor

Featuring HBCU alumni artists Aleah Prentice, soprano, Antonio Chase, tenor, JàVonn Bright, baritone, and Chester Burke Jr., bass-baritone and collaborative pianist 

In West African traditions, the Adinkra symbol of “Sankofa” depicts a bird with its head turned backwards while its feet face forward carrying a precious egg in its mouth. The word itself means “go back and fetch it” and is further understood as “looking back to move forward”.

The Sankofa Project: A Journey Through Black Music and Artistry explores the rich tapestry of vocal music created by African Americans. The program features music by and tributes to Black musical figures in many genres such as Marian Anderson, Paul Robeson, Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions. Audiences will be treated to the powerful stories of these legendary artists through music, narration, and dramatic interpretation.

The music and artistry of African people is much like that precious egg in the mouth of the bird, full of vitality and sustainable resources. In experiencing this program, all will be inspired by these pivotal artists of the past and determined to move forward in creating a brighter future for us all.

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