About Us

The Kalamazoo Children's Chorus (KCC) was formed in 1981 as an independent community children's chorus. The founder, Jeanne Frey wanted to provide an advanced choral opportunity for children in the Kalamazoo area. The purpose of the organization is to offer an opportunity for children to explore and develop an appreciation of choral music in all its variety. During weekly rehearsals the members learn proper vocal and choral techniques and an understanding of musical styles through singing a wide variety of music from Bach to Broadway. In 1989 the organization expanded to include two choirs: the Concert Choir and the Preparatory Choir. In 1997 the organization expanded yet again to include three choirs: the Touring Choir, the Concert Choir, and the Preparatory Choir. In 2004 the Treble choir was added and in 2007 Bel Canto became the newest ensemble of the chorus. Since it's inception KCC has been a strong presence in the artistic life of the Kalamazoo area. Over the many year span of its existence, the organization has had the opportunity to perform in many venues which have proven to be both musically and culturally broadening. They have appeared in four operas, the most recent being "La Boheme". They have sung with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra under the baton of both Maestro Yoshimi Takeda and Maestro Raymond Harvey. They have shared the stage with the Kalamazoo Singers and the Kalamazoo Oratorio Society. The chorus traveled to Japan in 1993 to help celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Kalamazoo-Numazu Sister City relationship. They joined the Numazu Boys and Girls Choir in performances of Japanese and American songs and were fortunate enough to be the guests of Japanese families. The following year the Numazu choir visited Kalamazoo as guests of KCC and their families. In 2001 the chorus hosted the internationally acclaimed Bloemfontein Children's Chorus from Bloemfontein, South Africa. This was a week long event culminating in a performance which also included the St. Mary's Children's Chorus from Ontario, Canada. KCC choirs have been selected to perform for music organizations such as the Michigan Music Educators Association, The Wisconsin Music Educators Association and the American Choral Directors Association. In April 1997 they were selected to become a part of the National Youth Festival, an activity of Field Studies International. They joined 5 other children's choruses in 4 days of rehearsal under the direction of the renowned children's chorus specialist, Henry Leck, and performed in Carnegie Hall. Based upon their national reputation the choir was then invited to perform at the International Children's Choral Festival in Canterbury, England in June, 2005. They also performed at St. James Cathedral and the Holy Trinity Church in London and then traveled to Paris to perform in Notre Dame Cathedral. In 2008 members of theBel Canto and Touring choirs will travel to Prague in the Czech Republic to perform. It has become clear that our alumni continue their singing activities through high school, college and into adulthood, as they become members of community musical organizations. A few have pursued professional careers. Most recently, Meredith Arwady won the New York Metropolitan Opera auditions as a contralto. The Kalamazoo Children's Chorus is celebrating it's 28th season and continues to provide a challenging musical environment for its choristers and a rich heritage of choral singing in the Kalamazoo area.