Children’s Chorus of San Antonio

Children's Chorus of San Antonio
Background information
Origin San Antonio, Texas, United States
Years active 1983 (1983)-present
Website www.childrenschorussa.org

The Children’s Chorus of San Antonio (CCSA) was founded in 1983 by artistic director Marguerite McCormick. The chorus is a non-profit corporation and is composed of over 450 young singers from the San Antonio area and surrounding communities. In March 2017, The Children's Chorus of San Antonio hired Dr. Ryan Garrison to lead the organization as the new Artistic Director.

In addition to presenting its own concert series, CCSA regularly sings with the San Antonio Symphony and San Antonio Mastersingers, and has performed alongside the Texas Bach Choir and the UTSA Choirs and Orchestra, the United States Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants. CCSA has also been featured in the San Antonio Festival, the San Antonio Early Music Festival, Musica San Antonio, and the San Antonio Founders Day Celebration.

CCSA has traveled state- and nationwide to places such as Victoria, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Princeton, and New York City. They have been featured in performances at major music education and choral conferences such as the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), Texas Choral Directors Association (TCDA), and American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). The chorus is known globally as well, having collaborated with children’s choirs from the Czech Republic and Germany. CCSA has held numerous summer national and international concert tours. These tours have taken the Chamber Choir (CC) and Youth Chorale (YC) to east- and west-coast North American destinations and to Europe, including England, Scotland, Denmark, Italy, and France.

The chorus has performed in venues including the

In 2014, CCSA became a resident affiliate of the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, moving the majority of its performances and collaborations with other arts groups into the Tobin Center.

Programs

CCSA’s programs are divided into three divisions: Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Ensembles

Performing at the annual Spring Song concert in 2008.

Core Ensembles: CCSA's core ensembles provide a rigorous curriculum of performance-based instruction ranging from the basics of vocal technique through an extensive and diverse repertoire. Placement hearings are held annually for both returning and new singers.

Preparatory and Prelude ensembles (Beginning Level) provide an introductory choral experience for ages 5-8. Preparatory ensemble (ages 5-6) rehearses one/day a week for 50-minutes. Prelude ensemble (ages 7-8) rehearses one/day a week for 75-minutes. Both ensembles are directed by Mrs. Rebecca Juarez.

Chorale and Choristers are CCSA's Intermediate Level ensembles, providing choral experience for ages 9-13. Chorale is primarily for singers ages 9-11, as well as the introductory choir for new singers, ages 11-13. Choristers is CCSA's advanced ensemble at the Intermediate Level, for singers with previous choral experience, ages 11-13. Both ensembles meet one day/week for 2-hours. Directors include Mrs. Alyssa Hunsucker-Avenatti and Mrs. Rebecca Morgan.

The Children's Chorus of San Antonio has three ensembles at the Advanced Level for ages 14-18; Concert Choir, Chamber Ensemble, and Encore Ensemble. Concert Choir is a larger treble ensemble of singers with previous choral experience, meeting one day/week for 2-hours. Chamber ensemble is a full SATB-mixed choral experience, meeting one day/week for 90-minutes. Encore is CCSA's premiere advanced treble ensemble, meeting one day/week for 90-minutes. Singers in Encore are also required to provide leadership within CCSA's Concert Choir. All three choral groups require placement by audition. Concert Choir, Chamber Ensemble, and Encore are all directed by CCSA's Artistic Director, Dr. Ryan Garrison.

Recordings

  • Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas (1998)
  • Alamo City Sings (1999)
  • Voicerenity – Children’s Lullabies (2002)
  • The Children’s Chorus of San Antonio 20th Anniversary Concerts (2005)

Commissions/Performances

Artistic Director Marguerite McCormick and the CCSA have championed new music for children’s choirs by commissioning numerous works including the Scarecrow Pieces by Joan Whittemore in May 1999. Jointly commissioned by UTSA and CCSA, The Present by UTSA professor Dr. James Balentine received its premiere in October 2003. Composer David L Brunner was in residence with CCSA choirs in May 2005 for the premiere of his piece, Then, Now, Forever, commissioned in memory of Tour Director Robert E. “Bob” McCormick. 2007 saw the world premiere of Annunciation by Kevin McCormick and in May, 2009 the chorus gave the San Antonio premiere Like a Singing Bird by Bob Chilcott.

See also

References

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