Rave Reviews for The Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir
“The experiences that these young people get through singing in the Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir will bring them a life-long love of music and singing. This is the greatest gift we can give not only to these children but also to our future leaders in our communities.” – Maestro David Stewart Wiley – Roanoke Valley Symphony Orchestra
“The care and consummate integrity with which Ms. Davidson prepares her young people is second to none. I conduct with orchestras and opera companies all over the country. I can say without exaggeration that Ms. Davidson’s work with the RVCC represents the highest level of musical and artistic integrity.” – Maestro Steven White – Metropolitan Opera House, New York
“My experiences with the Children’s Choir are ones that I will always hold near and dear to my heart. I am so grateful to the Children’s Choir and Ms. D for her dedication to our program and her continual encouragement to be the best we could be!” – Dr. Sylvia Hanna – Former RVCC Member
“For 11 years of my life, I had the privilege of being in the Children’s Choir. I was fortunate to spend my Tuesday nights with a talented group of musicians, who appreciated the dedication and hard work it took to make beautiful music. Had it not been for the choir, I don’t believe I would have chosen a career in musical theater. I know that every day I go to work, I will be using the skills and training that I learned from my time in the choir.” – Kenzie Conner – Disney Performer
“My ten years in RCCC taught me so much more than music! Teamwork, perseverance, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence – all of these were developed through my choir experiences. RVCC is a big commitment that takes hard work, but the rewards are far greater. Mrs. Davidson taught us to ‘reach for the top’, and made sure we had world-class opportunities to shine. Carnegie Hall and Canterbury Cathedral are two that stand out. They were even topics of college admissions and scholarship essays my senior year – and the feedback was incredibly positive! I was fortunate to receive a full college scholarship, and I know that my choir experiences helped me ‘stand out in the crowd’ with these applications. Thank you, Ms. Davidson, and all who continue to help make RVCC available to students in the Roanoke Valley.” – Katherine Quiroz – Christopher Newport University Student
“There is something deeply magical about creating beauty with others, and I think the first time I got my real taste of this magic was in RVCC. It was one of those times when the curtain had just gone down and everyone in the choir started cheering. I felt this wonderful sense of camaraderie and was overwhelmed with the fact that I was part of something so much bigger and more beautiful than myself. Together, we as a choir had just brought joy and tears and inspiration to the audience and lifted our voices in something wonderfully magnificent and exciting. I was surrounded by my talented friends, my fellow choristers, who were joining with me to bring these choral works to life and to celebrate beauty and artistry in a way I could never have known without joining choir. There are not many other places where you can experience this magic and share it with others in such a rich way and I will definitely carry these experiences with me for many years to come.” - Grace, current 2022 RVCC Chorister, in choir for 8 years.
“I can honestly say that my seven years in the Roanoke Valley Children's Choir have been the best years of my life, and I have gained so much. I've gained a confidence in myself and my musical abilities that I didn't have before because of what this amazing choir does. I've gained lifelong friendships that will last forever because of this choir. I've gained experiences from my choir career that some people can only dream of doing. Ive also gained a strong work ethic and leadership skills, along with having a lot of fun. I honestly don't know where I would be without choir because it has completely changed my life for the better. I give credit for all of this to our wonderful and amazing director, Ms. Davidson. She provides opportunities and experiences for children of all races, homes, and backgrounds. She and her choir build people and leaders that will shape the future. As the song says, "we are friends forever when we sing together, the whole world is better when we sing."“ - Eliza, current 2022 RVCC Chorister, in choir for 7 years
“I have been in the RVCC since I was seven, and I have loved every minute of it! Mrs. D. has taught me so much throughout the years and I truly would not be the person I am today without her. Choir has been such a fun experience that has helped me grow in music and as a person. I look forward to making countless more great memories and great music in the years ahead. Thank you Mrs. D!!!!” - Sophie, current 2022 RVCC Chorister, in choir for 7 years
“RVCC was, and remains, on of the most important organizations I have taken part in. Growing up, I wasn't a super outgoing kid, but RVCC allowed for me to make friends that became family as we were bonded by our love for music. I met some of my best friends in choir, made the most amazing memories through traveling across the country (and even outside of the country) to sing and share my love of music, and learned strong foundational leadership skills that still come in handy to this day. RVCC truly made an impact on me and my life and I will be forever grateful to this choir and to Mrs. Davidson for creating a space where everyone is welcomed, a space for each child to grow in their skills and love for music, and the reminder that "we are friends forever, when we sing together."“ - Emily, 2019 RVCC Alumni in choir for 5 years
“The Roanoke College Children’s Choir was one of the most best experiences of my life and I would not be the same without it. It was one of the most challenging but fulfilling things in my life. It was a foundation for friendships and the whole experience made you feel like you were part of a family not just a regular group of people that just happened to sing together, no this was a different experience. A one of a kind experience. I, honestly, miss every part of it! I may have been in choir for 10 years but it will forever be apart of me and who I am today. I’m thankful for the once in a lifetime experiences, the laughter, the family, the singing, the friendships, you name it, I’m grateful for it!” - Rachel, 2013 RVCC Alumni in choir for 10 years
“I am thrilled to be able to support the choir. It made me so much of who I am today and I was touched to see the exact same love and gratitude and tears in last year's graduating class as I experienced 8 years ago. I have the privilege of spending some of my time as an engineer planning an annual event to inspire girls to pursue STEM careers. I have absolutely no doubt where I learned how to show young people what they are capable of. All my love to Mrs D. and the RVCC!” - Kathryn Iler, RVCC Alumni
“Being a part of RVCC for 8 years was one of the best things in my childhood, from the music, the friends, adventures & everything in between, I could not have asked for a better environment to have spent my youth. Ms. Davidson’s passion for the music & love for the children just makes it all the better! In my eight years, she has always treated her choristers with a bright kindness. I truly made some of my best friends & memories of my life so far with the RVCC. Learning music theory, rhythms & other languages from choir at such a young age was extremely helpful for me n still is to this day!! I know Covid has changed a lot for choirs around the world, but Ms. Davidson’s passion for sharing her love for music with local youth shines throughout all of that & I’m extremely grateful for everything she has taught me, and thousands of others like & unlike me too.” - Melody, RVCC Alumni in choir for 8 years (graduated in 2020)
“RVCC was my first group ensemble where I felt like we were held to a higher standard. Ms. Davidson expected excellence from us, and it was felt from the rehearsal on day one. Our performance and recording opportunities were always done in such a way that we felt like professionals! I performed with the RVCC in Ottawa, New York City, Chicago, and other local experiences including The Nutcracker, Holiday Pops with the RSO, and so many more! We always sang such an amazing variety of music. We were exposed to many languages and cultures through her music selection. I also became an excellent sight reader thanks to not only her teachings, but to her sights being set high. My transition into college choral programs was greatly helped by her standards. She helped shape me into the musician and teacher I am today and I want that for many more generations of choristers to come!” - Kelly, RVCC Alumni in choir for 5 years (graduated in 2003)
“RVCC was by far one of the best things that happened to me throughout middle and high school. Even when a day at school may not have gone well, I always looked forward to choir. It became a safe space for me next to my home. Ms. Davidson was the most supportive director I have ever had. If it wasn’t for her and I had only my past experiences, I truly believe that I would have stopped singing years ago. She and everyone else in RVCC taught me that you can improve your voice while still enjoying your time and improving yourself. I had the most incredible experiences in my life and was given opportunities I never thought I would have. Ms. Davidson’s teaching also not only taught me how to be a better singer, but also a better person, student, and because of her emphasis on diction, I was able to get rid of my speech impediment that I had my whole life. Choir was such a big part of my life and if I am only one person, I can only imagine what she has done for other past and current choristers and what she can do for the future ones.” - Tes, RVCC Alumni in choir for 7 years (graduated in 2019)
Share Your Own Choir Story!
We want to hear from YOU! Share your RVCC experience!
Please share with us the positive impact that being in the Roanoke Valley Children's Choir has had on you or your child. What has singing in the RVCC has meant to you? What did you learn from your years in the choir? The stronger the statement, the better. For example, it could be that RVCC helped the chorister overcome low self-esteem or anxiety. Or helped the chorister make new friends. Or helped the chorister improve school grades. Or helped inspire the chorister to choose a career in the arts. Or helped the chorister get through personal struggles or deal with a particularly difficult period during their life. Etc.
The RVCC will be applying for funding from foundations, grants, and similar sources. An effective way to win a funder over is to show them the potential impact of their support -- and there is no better way to do this than through personal testimonials. Sharing stories from choristers and alumni is also a great way to show new parents and young singers that the hard work and commitment is worth the effort and the benefits of the children’s choir reach far beyond just the music!
These messages will be shared with Ms. Davidson, used to secure funding from art foundations and grants, and used in select places publicly to help recruit the next generation of young choristers! Thank you for supporting the RVCC by sharing your story!
You can also write a Google Review for the RVCC here: https://g.page/r/CXB-AYSgku9ZEB0/review
Add a picture to be posted along with your testimony quote!
Upload a photo of yourself or your chorister to be posted along with your RVCC testimony. Maybe you have a picture of you/your chorister from a choir concert, on a choir trip, in your choir T-shirt, in your choir dress, with Ms. Davidson, or any picture you'd be willing to share.
Click the button below to upload your image file via google forms. Please note - The file upload form requires you to sign in with a google or gmail account.
