Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir

“A Choir”

1st-2nd Grade Singers

Early Elementary Choir Program

The Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir has been providing the highest quality music education and choral program for youth in our community since 1987. We have two choirs for elementary school students, we call them the “A” Choir and “B” Choir. These are the youngest training choirs in our full-year choir program.

The A Choir is specially designed for 1st & 2nd grade students as a perfect stepping stone into the beginning stages of learning to read music. These youngest singers will begin their choir development through listening, learning by echo imitation, and building their auditory skills. Music reading will be introduced with very simple, easy to follow sheet music at a pre-reading level. The A Choir rehearses separately for 1 hour with A Choir Director, Mrs. Roudebush, and also with RVCC Director, Ms. Davidson, in a combined choir rehearsal for 30 minutes each week. The A Choir learns and performs 2 solo songs, as well as 3 combined songs in both RVCC annual concerts. All songs are sung in unison while learning healthy, age appropriate vocal techniques and beautiful choral vowel sounds. We also incorporate action songs and movement into each rehearsal, adding a bit of fun each week for our youngest choir!

Performance opportunities include the annual Holiday and Spring Concerts with the RVCC, the annual Community Carol Sing-Along, the ABB+ School Tour in December, the “Just for Kids” Free Community Concert, and the Music in the Parks Festival in Williamsburg, VA in the Spring.

The Elementary Choirs rehearse throughout the school year once a week on Mondays from 4:30-6:00pm at Bethel Baptist Church (1601 S COLORADO ST, SALEM, VA). The RVCC is a 501c-3 non-profit music education program funded through donations, grants, and student tuition. Tuition is paid throughout the year (August-April) and comes out to be about $80 per month (or $65 per month with the reduced tuition rate). Financial aid scholarships are available and can be applied for online here.

How To Join the “A Choir”

(1st-2nd grade)

There are 3 options to start the process of joining the choir. You can register right away if you’d like, you can watch the video Newcomer Welcome Class to learn more, or you can attend an in-person Newcomer Welcome Class offered in May, August, and December every year. You can do 1 of them, or all 3, in any order! You will ultimately need to register in order to join the RVCC.

What We Teach In Our Choir Program

Singing in a children’s choir can be life changing for so many children. Along with the music, choir teaches confidence, teamwork, and leadership. It is a wonderful place to meet new people, build new friendships, and find a place in the community. It is our goal to provide the highest level of music education and excellence in all areas. We have been teaching music and building character in the Roanoke Valley since 1987. It is a joy to work with children and create beautiful music together!

As a member of the choir, each child learns all the foundational elements needed to grow a life-long love of music. Musical skills taught in the “A choir” program include:

• Introduction to reading written music

• Beginning elements of essential Music theory

• Vocal techniques for beautiful, healthy singing

• Proper vowel sounds, tone quality, and breath support

• Coordination skills through music-based movements and choreography

As each student develops their musical skills in this nurturing group choral setting, they are also growing important developmental and character qualities that will stay with them throughout life.

• Personal Confidence

• Increased ability to focus

• Determination and Perseverance

• Executive Functioning Skills (Organization, motivation, self-discipline)

• Leadership and Teamwork

• Creativity and individual expression

Rehearsal Schedule

Rehearsals are once a week on Mondays at Bethel Baptist Church in Salem, VA from the end of August - April each school year. The Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir is a full-year 8 month choral program. The skills taught throughout the year are built upon each other and it is recommended to commit to the entire year of singing in the RVCC to receive the most benefits from the full program.

• A Choir Rehearsals = Mondays 4:30-6:00 PM

Rehearsals for 2024-2025 will begin Monday, September 9th and go through Monday, December 16th, 2024, The RVCC Holiday Concert Performance is scheduled for Saturday, December 21st, 2024. We have a break from rehearsals during the holiday season. Rehearsals resume Monday, January 13th and go through Monday, April 21st, 2024, The RVCC Spring Concert Performance is scheduled for Saturday, April 26th, 2025.

Performance Dates

Choir Trips

Annual RVCC Fall Retreat at Smith Mountain Lake 4-H Camp

A, B, B+ Choir Trip to Williamsburg Festival in the Park

Tuition and Registration Prices 

A Choir Tuition = $80 per month ($640 for the year)

Reduced Tuition ($120 off of the yearly tuition price) is offered to any families with a household income of less than $60,000 or anyone who may need the financial assistance. Use coupon code “RVCC120” when you register to receive this tuition discount, if needed.

• Registration is open through August 15th, 2024.

• The first month’s tuition payment is due when you register. You can also choose to pay in full for the year up front.

• Select the “enroll in payment plan” option during the last page of checkout on Active Network to set up the automatic monthly tuition payments. The remaining tuition balance will be divided into 7 equal monthly payment made on the 5th of the month from September 5th, 2024 - March 5, 2025.

Reduced Tuition and Financial Aid Scholarships

We want every child who loves to sing to have the opportunity to join the RVCC!

Formal Choir Costume

“A Choir” Pictures

If you have any questions, you can contact the director, Kim Davidson, directly at:

Email: kimdavidson@childrenschoir.com

Phone: 540-676-7265

Past Performance Videos of the “A Choir”

“A Choir” in the RVCC Spring 2024 Concert

“A Choir” Solo Songs

Elementary A & B Choirs

RVCC Combined Choirs

Choir FUN Videos Throughout the Year!