Alexandria Children’s Chorus (ACC) invites singers in Grades K-7 to join us at the beginning of each semester! ACC is a creative, affirming, and vibrant community with young artists in three choir levels.

Weekly rehearsals create a safe space to hone musical skills and forge lasting friendships. ACC singers come from all around Alexandria and northern Virginia, connecting our city’s youth and families through the power of song and artistry.

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Rehearsals

Rehearsals  are on Tuesdays at Westminster Presbyterian Church (2701 Cameron Mills Rd, Alexandria, VA 22302). 

Kindergarten  

4:30-5:15 PM

This chorus sets the foundation for children to build basic music literacy skills, achieve proper singing technique, and accurately sing simple rhythms and melodies with increasing attention to mastering repertoire for designated concerts. Skills emphasized are:

• introduction of the body as a musical instrument: proper singing posture, breath support, precise articulation of vowels and consonants, and tonal quality
• matching pitches and accurately singing intervals, scales, simple rhythm patterns, drones, chants, and melodies  
• introduction to rhythmic and melodic notation, singing in solfege with hand signals 
• call-and-response singing and singing in unison with other children and the instructor
• music appreciation and active listening skills
• musical expression through purposeful, playful, and dynamic movement activities
• performance skills and concert etiquette with participation in one concert per season
• cooperation and community 

Training Chorus (Grades 1 & 2)

5:30-6:30 PM

This chorus builds on the foundation of our Kindergarten program to encourage strong independent musicians. Performance confidence grows with more frequent concert opportunities throughout the year, including collaborations with other local music groups. Skills emphasized are:

• understanding the body as a musical instrument: developing control of all elements of vocal production, such as breath, pitch, volume, and articulation 
• accurately singing scales, intervals, simple and complex rhythm patterns, and melodic phrases with solfege hand signals 
• introduction to music theory and composition; continued study of rhythmic and melodic notation
• strong unison singing with simple harmonies introduced gradually. The frequent singing of drones and canons supports this development
• singing with an accompanist for 40 minutes of each rehearsal
• active listening, understanding music as a form of artistic expression, appreciation for musical diversity and the cultural origin of the songs we sing
• developing consciousness of the individual singer’s effects within the choral ensemble 
• increasing performance opportunities at fall and spring concerts, community events, and in collaboration with other local music groups
• communication, cooperation, and community

Concert Chorus (Grades 3-6)

5:30-6:45 PM

This ensemble is for singers who wish to delve deeper into the choral experience. Students delve into music in more than one part with an increasing focus on music literacy. The musicianship component transitions from elementary to intermediate, taking knowledge acquired in earlier levels and directing it in new ways, preparing for expectations in middle school, high school, and beyond. All singers grades 3-6 are eligible to audition for this ensemble at the beginning of the season. Skills emphasized are:

• command of the body as a musical instrument: control of all elements of vocal production, such as breath, pitch, volume, and articulation
• accurately singing scales, intervals, simple and complex rhythm patterns, and melodies with solfege hand signals
• music theory is applied to repertoire studied with increasing emphasis on reading musical notation
• singing two and three part harmonies 
• singing with an accompanist for one full hour at every rehearsal 
• developing greater awareness for the subtleties of blending with other voices and control of tone, vocal color, timbre, and intonation  
• additional performance opportunities at fall and spring concerts, community events, and in collaboration with other local music groups
• quality, communication, cooperation, and community