Accepted Singers

OAKE National Conference Choirs
Registration Information for Families

Congratulations on your singer’s acceptance into the 2024 OAKE National Conference Choirs! As a participant, your child will represent their choir, school, city and state in Chicago, Illinois. Student singers will participate in a rigorous 4-day rehearsal schedule March 13 – 16, 2024 (Wednesday – Saturday), culminating in a final performance the evening of Saturday, March 16, 2024. These ensembles are part of our national conference for music educators. Note that the choir participation dates are one day offset from our national conference (teacher) dates.

The Conference Choirs menu is your primary source of information. You may also explore the National Conference menu to learn about educators’ experience, but please note teachers have a different registration process and timeline than choirs, so please look in the Conference Choirs menu for important info pertaining to your family.

The Choir Registration deadline is December 1st, 2023 (11:59 pm PST)

Music will only be sent to those registered by this date. If you experience any delays, email [email protected]

 

Please see below for specific information about T-Shirts and Program Ads

Resources for Learning Your Music

Singers will be working hard with their teachers over the coming months to learn and memorize music. Teachers will receive part assignments, rehearsal tracks, pronunciation guides, conductors’ notes, and more here on the Choir website. Teachers will share these resources with their students. Resources will be shared with families at a later date. 

Arrival Day Schedule

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

2:00 – 4:00 pm: Choir Check-In (Children’s/Youth: 6th Floor, High School: Lobby Level)

4:00 – 5:30 pm (approx): Free time/dinner on your own

5:30 – 6:00 pm (approx, time TBA): Welcome and Orientation – Meet your Conductor and Choir Chairs, then begin your first rehearsal! ***
*** Required attendance for all singers and parents

Families may attend all rehearsals, except dress rehearsals. All choir families, singers, and teachers are welcome to join us at the Conference Kickoff Event on Thursday night. A more detailed choir schedule will be released in February preceding the conference. Everyone will receive a Welcome Packet on Wednesday Check-In Day containing maps, schedules, safety information and information on local area attractions.

Chaperoning Requirements On-Site

While it is not a requirement that you specifically (the parent) accompany your child on this trip, for the safety and security of all students, your child must be chaperoned at all times while not in a scheduled rehearsal by either a parent, grandparent, relative over the age of 21, teacher, or other designated chaperone. OAKE requires all choir members and chaperones residing outside of the conference city to stay in the designated conference hotel. You and your family will have free time to explore the host city and there will even be a handful of conference sessions choir families may attend if they’d like. We invite a variety of exhibitors of interest to educators and choir families, so please do visit them as well.

Rehearsal and Concert Attire

Rehearsal Attire:

Dress during rehearsals is casual.

Concert Attire:

Children’s and Youth Choirs

Long-sleeved, white dress shirt/blouse with a collar (worn tucked in)
Black dress pants or skirt (try to have the length of skirt be in the middle of the knee cap)
Black tights or hose, if wearing a skirt
Black socks and black belt, if wearing pants
Black dress shoes

Concert Treble and Chamber Choirs  (select the option most appropriate for you):

Concert dress (modest floor length black dress) with neutral hose and black dress shoes. No necklaces.
OR black dress pants (tight fitting pants/leggings and jeans are not acceptable), nice black top, neutral color hose, and black dress shoes.
OR black suit or sport coat with black dress pants, white long-sleeved dress shirt with a collar (worn tucked in), a long dark tie (no bowties), black socks, and black dress shoes.

Chicago Symphony Center

Concert Information

NATIONAL CONFERENCE CHOIRS CONCERTS

Saturday, March 16, 2024
Chicago Symphony Center
220 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60604

The OAKE National Choirs will perform starting in early afternoon, ending by 5 pm (CT).

First Half: Children’s Choir, Concert Treble Choir
Extended Intermission
Second Half: Youth Treble Choir, Chamber Choir

See your acceptance email to confirm which choir your singer will perform with.

There are no concert tickets or concert shuttles needed this year. 

Choir Concert Program Advertisements

Choir Program Advertisements are a way to show your children how enthusiastically you support their efforts with a custom message. These messages will be printed in the concert choir program booklet given out at the final choir concert and are sure to be a keepsake.  With a range of sizes and graphics to choose from, we are certain you will find a creative way to make your child feel special!  

Click on the “Program Ads” button at the top of the page to place your order for the Choir program.
Orders are due by January 15, 2024. 

Get Conference T-Shirts Now!

Help spread the word about OAKE’s 50th and the upcoming conference. Booming participation in the conference supports big goals: Community & Sustainability. Conference attendee or not, you are part of OAKE’s story. Celebrate our shared past, build the future! Sales create a small profit for OAKE and the real goal is to get the goods in your hands and out in your network. 

Click on the “Order T-Shirts” button at the top of the page to place your order for T-Shirts or Totes. Available in many colors and sizes!

Conference Hotel and Travel

The Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel hosts our reserved sleeping rooms, meeting, and rehearsal space. Choir families and attendees will have excellent access to all aspects of the conference. The Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel is steps to all the action along State Street including Macy’s, Nordstrom Rack, H&M, Block 37 Mall and the Chicago Theatre. The hotel is also walking distance to The Art Institute, Joffrey Ballet, Cadillac Theatre, Jeweler’s Row, Millennium Park, John G. Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum and Adler Planetarium.

Visit the Hotel and Travel page for hotel booking deadline and other info to plan your trip! There are very affordable travel options by train from the Chicago area airports as well as many other transportation options.