History

June 23, 2008 | by Molly Hutzler |

In 1984, after attending an Education Through Music (ETM) conference, two music teachers from Corvallis and Salem decided to start a children’s choir. They planned a choir that would be more than a place for already trained voices; it would also be a place for children of many ages to learn and appreciate music. The two music educators had identified children in the Corvallis and Salem schools who had beautiful voices but would probably not receive any musical training outside of the public school setting.

During the first season, 80 children signed up for the choir. The choir consisted of 4th, 5th and 6th graders from Corvallis, Albany, Philomath and Salem. Singers from the first choir are still involved in music: teaching music and singing in choirs. Today, the choir supports the music education and personal growth of 300 children from Benton, Linn and Marion Counties from 3rd through 12th grades. This extended music supports, and is in partnership with, the music education of the local public school districts.