Q&A
How long have you been around?
Why did you change your name?
What is your mission?
Who can join?
What is the audition process?
How many ensembles are there?
How many young people are in the program?
What kind of music do you sing?
Why should I consider your program for my child?
How is the program funded?
Do you offer financial aid?
Will my child be performing?
How can you accept all children and still be a world class choral program?
Do you tour?
Q: How long have you been around?
A: We were founded in 1964 as the Glen Ellyn Theater Chorus
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Q: Why did you change your name?
A: The chorus evolved away from theater and into a stand alone chorus and changed its name to the Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus as a group of GE residents up to age 15. We evolved again to an organization that serves four counties and has young people through high school. As a result we changed our name to more accurately reflect our mission (Anima means life, breath, soul and spirit) and our demographics (Young Singers of Greater Chicago).
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Q: What is your mission?
A: "To provide experiences of excellence in choral singing that enliven and shape young lives."
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Q: Who can join?
A: All children ages Kindergarten through High School are welcome, regardless of race, creed, or socioeconomic circumstances.
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Q: What is the audition process?
A: Kindergarten through second grade children simply register to join. Young people ages third grade and up are asked to meet with the conductor for an ensemble placement to determine the best fit. All children are welcome.
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Q: How many ensembles are there?
A: There are six levels of ensembles which meet weekly or twice weekly.
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Q: How many young people are in the program?
A: We involve approximately 250 children, from 30 towns in our regular weekly programs and another 1,000 with our community programs.
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Q: What kind of music do you sing?
A: We sing great music from diverse styles and periods which form the foundation for learning and serves as the basis for the curriculum. Repertoire includes the classics (Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Brahms, Debussy, Mahler, Copland and Bernstein), music from many world cultures, American jazz, gospel and contemporary music.
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Q: Why should I consider your program for my child?
A: National studies show a powerful correlation between children's active participation in quality arts programs and academic success as well as life achievements. Anima provides a holistic, nurturing program that brings out the best in young people and teaches them to strive for excellence.
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Q: How is the program funded?
A: Anima is a non-profit 501c3 organization which is funded through tuition, performance fees and support from individuals, corporations, foundations and government agencies. Anima was the first children's chorus funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Illinois Arts Council and continues to be supported by these agencies to this day.
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Q: Do you offer financial aid?
A: Yes, we have never turned a child away due to inability to pay.
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Q: Will my child be performing?
A: All of our ensembles include performance based instruction, with the more advanced groups performing more often and in more high-profile venues.
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Q: How can you accept all children and still be a world class choral program?
A: Anima is a performance-based choral music education program based on the principle that all young people are inherently musical, and singing is a learned skill.
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Q: Do you tour?
A: Our Concert Chorus tours nationally and our Touring Chorus tours both nationally and internationally.
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