Imagine your child stepping onto the stage at Carnegie Hall, singing under the lights at Powell Hall, or traveling overseas to perform in Portugal. For hundreds of St. Louis area kids, those experiences are not only dreams—they’re memories made through The St. Louis Children’s Choirs.
Now in its 48th season, this nationally recognized program gives students from grades 1–12 the chance to perform on the world’s greatest stages, learn from master educators, and build friendships that last a lifetime.
Founded in 1978 by Diane Finley, a respected member of the St. Louis arts community who believed the city deserved a world-class children’s choir, SLCC has spent nearly five decades shaping young voices and young lives. Under that vision, SLCC has blossomed into one of the nation’s premier youth choral programs.
A Curriculum That Builds Musicianship and Minds
Now under the leadership of artistic director Dr. Alyson Moore, SLCC is building on that legacy with a bold, modern approach to music education. Moore, a nationally recognized choral conductor and educator, is bringing new energy and innovation to the program—deepening the curriculum, expanding access across the metro area, and creating performance experiences that are as dynamic as they are inspiring.
“Choir is not just about coming and singing in a group,” Moore says. “It’s also about making friends and experiencing music—and now it’s also focused on individual skill building in a group environment.”
At the core of SLCC’s program is a curriculum that challenges and excites. Each rehearsal integrates techniques from Zoltán Kodály’s and Carl Orff’s pedagogies, methods proven to strengthen memory, rhythm, and ear training through play and movement.
Students participate in Music Lab sessions in which they explore music theory and performance in creative, hands-on ways. They not only learn to sing but also to read, hear, and interpret music at a professional level. This holistic approach, Moore explains, helps children see music not just as art but also as a language.
“Learning—and it doesn’t matter whether its language or science—is about putting complex concepts together and working on an ability to think through multiple processes at the same time. Only we do it through music,” says Moore. “Come to The St. Louis Children’s Choirs, so your kids can sing and have fun, but also because we support a child’s learning in all academic disciplines through our musical pedagogy.”
Extraordinary Experiences Leading to Extraordinary Growth
For SLCC singers, learning extends far beyond the rehearsal room as every year brings unforgettable performances and new opportunities to see the world.
In recent years, choir members have regularly performed with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, collaborated with Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and shared the stage with Grammy-nominated artist Cody Fry. In 2025, more than 100 singers, parents, and alumni traveled to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall, while next summer’s international tour will take them to Portugal for another once-in-a-lifetime experience.
This year, SLCC will perform their holiday concert “Illuminate” at Powell Hall on December 7 at 4 p.m.
For senior Aiyla Ahmad, those opportunities have defined her journey. She first discovered the choir in third grade when a friend invited her to a Bring a Friend to Choir Day. “I loved to sing, but I didn’t know this kind of program even existed outside of school,” she recalls. “I remember sitting in rehearsal, listening to the harmonies, and thinking, This is amazing.”
Two years later, she auditioned and joined the chorale, the first of several ensembles that she would move through as her skills grew. By middle school, she was part of the concert choir, SLCC’s most advanced ensemble—learning complex pieces, tackling new languages, and developing a strong grasp of music theory. Now a high school senior, Ahmad has in fact sung at Carnegie Hall in three different languages and went to Ireland on her first international tour, which she said gave her a sense of independence. But it’s the impact on her confidence that she values most.
“I was really shy when I first got on stage. I was afraid to sing in front of other people,” she says. “But when I noticed everyone else was excited about solo opportunities, I decided to audition—and I’ve auditioned for nearly every single solo since then.”
“Choir is really helping me come into my own, figure out who I am and how I want to present myself to the world,” she adds. “For any parents out there trying to find activities for their kids to do, even if they’re shy but have a passion for singing or making music, there’s a place for everyone at The St. Louis Children’s Choirs.”
More Than Music
SLCC’s mission to “transform lives through musical excellence” extends beyond the music itself: Students learn integrity, teamwork, and discipline while developing habits that prepare them for adulthood.
“In a world full of screens and distractions, choir teaches kids to focus, listen, and be part of something bigger than themselves,” says executive director Ben Nordstrom. “It’s fun, but it’s also deeply formative. These kids don’t just grow as singers—they grow as people.”
From the first note in rehearsal to the final bow on stage, The St. Louis Children’s Choirs gives young voices a place to rise, shine, and belong.
This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of The St. Louis Children’s Choirs. Auditions are now open year-round for students in grades 1–12. To learn more or sign up for an audition, visit slccsing.org.
