Children’s Choir of Chico

The only thing better than singing is more singing,” said American Jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald. For Fitzgerald, singing was her way up from the hard place that she found herself in during her late teens. Chico resident Susan Tevis knew in her early youth that she, too, wanted music in her life. “I liked how I felt,” Tevis says of the refuge she discovered in her middle school band and choir classes. Tevis went on to become a classroom music teacher, and in 2001 she founded the Children’s Choir of Chico.

With five separate choirs—from TK students through adults—there is a place for everyone. While the choir itself is a nonprofit organization, it also helps to develop support for other nonprofits. Choir concerts keep the singers busy and goal oriented. High school choir singer Mona Hendriks says of performances, “It’s something to work toward.” Susan Tevis says the satisfaction that comes from being part of a choir is due to “working together for a greater thing than we can do ourselves.” Mona Hendriks agrees: “Choir is basically all team building.”

Many opportunities and benefits

Students do not need prior singing experience to join the choir. Bel Canto Choir is the only exception: Designed for students from grades 8-12, this choir requires auditions from potential singers. Choir members have the opportunity to participate in national conference choirs, tours and international performances. Singer Ella Price, who performed with the choir in Hungary, (a bright memory for her), says choir is “like family.”

The list of benefits to being a part of a choir is extensive. Many of these benefits are the same as those students experience from participating in sports, such as learning to work as part of a team, increased confidence, stress relief, an opportunity to make social connections, improved physical health, a sense of belonging, increased physical coordination, having fun and developing patience. Singing in a choir also improves vocal skills, increases listening skills, stimulates creativity, and provides academic and cognitive improvement—each a lifetime asset. Singing gives an outlet to emotions and helps students develop empathy, increases cultural awareness with its exposure to foreign languages and enhances English vocabulary. Moreover, participating in choir brings personal satisfaction from the many opportunities to share music with the community.

Variety of musical styles, dedication to the extraordinary

Artistic director Mary Jensen-Thackery sees to it that the Children’s Choir of Chico offers variety to its listeners. Various members of the community may join in, accompanying the choir with their voices and instruments. Musical pieces are selected according to high standards and include classical, world, folk, Broadway, patriotic, gospel and spiritual music.

Children’s Choir of Chico is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children, youth and women by providing extraordinary choral music experiences through quality music education, excellence in performance, service to the community through song and opportunities to represent the North State community through national tours and festivals—and thereby shape the future.

Experience the magic of this extraordinary choir at the Winter Concert, A Cup of Cheer, to be held Sunday, December 10, at 3pm at Faith Lutheran Church, 667 E. 1st Avenue, Chico. Tickets are available at the door.

Also, mark your calendars for the Spring Equinox Dinner and Auction fundraiser at Silver Dollar Fairgrounds February 24. This special evening will include performances by the ensembles of the Children’s Choir of Chico and the local band Decades. For tickets, or to promote your business by becoming an event sponsor or donating auction items, visit childrenschoirofchico.org.