The Philadelphia Civic Review

Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale

Local Youth Choir Expands Program to New Neighborhoods

By Marcus Thorne, Civic Life Reporter

Neighborhood access to arts education is getting a significant boost this fall. The Philadelphia Youth Choir Ensembles announced a new push to open satellite music programs in communities that have historically lacked after-school arts options. Rather than requiring families to commute to a central downtown location for rehearsals, the organization is sending its vocal instructors directly into neighborhood community centers twice a week.

The initiative, called the City Voices Project, provides free introductory singing workshops and music theory lessons to elementary and middle school students. Local parents have already expressed relief at the change. For working families, transportation is often the biggest hurdle to keeping kids enrolled in high-quality extracurricular activities. By bringing the classrooms closer to home, the choir is making it possible for dozens of new students to participate.

According to organizers, the program aims to find kids who love to sing but have never had formal voice coaching. The introductory classes focus on basic rhythm, pitch matching, and group cooperation. Organizers hope that these neighborhood workshops will serve as a starting point for students who want to eventually audition for the Society's advanced touring choirs.