Berkshire Children’s Chorus explores the globe and travels through time by singing music from various cultures and eras. The Chorus uses music to spark new friendships between singers from across the Berkshire region. Weekly rehearsals feature the development of individual self-confidence and teamwork skills, as well as music reading, ear training, and vocal technique.
Background: Berkshire Children’s Chorus is a non-profit community organization that provides choral music education to young people in grades 3 to 12 from Berkshire County and beyond. The Chorus was founded in 1990 by Nancy Loder and is currently led by Ryan LaBoy.
Our Mission: Berkshire Children’s Chorus creates a place of belonging where young people grow and find their voices by singing together.
Our Vision: To transform and connect our community in the Berkshires through choral music education, opening up a world of experiences, confidence, and collaboration for all children.
Our Values: M-U-S-I-C
Music is a lens through which we experience the world and ourselves. It teaches us new cultures, languages, and skills.
Understanding. We know it’s ok to make mistakes because that’s how we grow, learn, and become good leaders.
Spirit. We are playful and joyful at Chorus because making music is fun!
Inclusivity. We create a safe, caring, and open-hearted community where everyone belongs.
Connection. We come together from across the Berkshires to sing and create something bigger than ourselves.
Notable Accomplishments
• The Berkshire Children’s Chorus has performed twice at Carnegie Hall
• In June 2012, the Berkshire Children’s Chorus performed at the Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City
• The Chorus performed at inaugural festivities for President Bill Clinton and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick
• In 2015, the Berkshire Children’s Chorus participated in the Berkshire Choral Festival’s performance of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem, held at the Berkshire School in Sheffield.
• The Berkshire Children’s Chorus has traveled to Europe twice to perform in international choral festivals
• In our 2016/17 season we collaborated with the Connecticut-based children’s chorus, Chorus Angelicus, and with the choir Crescendo. With Crescendo we premieres a newly commissioned piece called Paintings in Song: Visions of Norman Rockwell.
• In July 2017 our chorus traveled to Canterbury, England to participate in an international children’s chorus festival under the direction of Henry Leck.
