Choirs

If your music teacher sent you here, that’s wonderful news! They’ve identified your child as a potential participant in the OAKE National Conference Choirs! Many families have found this choral endeavor to be life-changing for their young singers.

What is OAKE, the OAKE National Conference, and the National Conference Choirs?

The Organization of American Kodály Educators has a mission to support music education of the highest quality, promote universal music literacy and lifelong music making, and preserve the musical heritage of the people of the United States of America through education, artistic performance, advocacy and research.

The OAKE National Conference occurs in a different city each year, bringing together music educators and clinicians over the course of four days and culminating in the performance of singers selected to participate in the National Choirs.  The audition-based OAKE National Conference Choirs are each led by a nationally renowned conductor.  Accepted singers will learn and memorize programmed music at home, with their own teachers, before going to the conference city where they participate in a rigorous 4-day rehearsal schedule, culminating in a final performance. 

How does the audition work and what happens if my child is accepted?

Please explore the OAKE website and speak with your music teacher to learn more. 

• If your family can commit to these dates and financial obligations, complete the Student Info Form in the Family packet and return it to teachers who will then work with singers to complete the audition process. Many audition for this artistic experience and acceptance into the choirs is not guaranteed. 
• $26 audition fee: must be paid for auditions to be considered. Your teacher will email you a payment link unless your school is covering that cost. You do not need to create any accounts on this website.
• Full financial commitment, if accepted: $300 registration fee, plus travel and hotel: Once accepted, choir registration and fee are a very quick turnaround in December. Do estimate other travel expenses.
• Should your singer be accepted, register quickly by the deadline, then music packets will be shipped to teachers who will work with singers to prepare! The OAKE website will have all the info you need and we’ll alert you to updates by email. 
• Families must stay at the official conference hotel: It’s close to rehearsals and these reservations defray the cost of rehearsal space and other aspects of the choirs which would otherwise drive up the cost of registration itself. Plus, it’s just fun to see everyone, including the teachers enjoying their own professional conference!
• Travel plans: Be at the conference hotel in time for Wednesday afternoon Check-in and Orientation. Concerts are Saturday and we recommend Sunday departure.
• Supervision: The National Conference Choirs Committee will take care of students only during rehearsals. Families or a designated chaperone must accompany them during all down-time, including meal breaks. The rehearsal schedule will be finalized in the weeks just prior to their trip.

Please be mindful that if your singer is accepted but then turns it down, another deserving singer has lost the opportunity. 

Have Questions?

Please check our Choir FAQ for Frequently Asked Questions by teachers, parents and students.
If you need further assistance, please feel free to Contact Us. 

COMPLIMENTARY CONCERT RECORDINGS

Concert recordings will be shared with all singers, families, and teachers of national choir members. Additional recording formats will still be available for purchase, as will extra t-shirts and “well wishes” printed in the concert programs.

CURRENT AND PAST RECORDINGS – PHYSICAL MEDIA FOR PURCHASE

For Current and Past Recordings and Media, please visit http://www.choirslive.com/