Online Conservatory
In the Junior Division, students ages 5-12 with beginning or intermediate musical experience build their skills and gain confidence in encouraging and creative rehearsal environments and performances.
The Junior Division of the National Children's Chorus consists of the Prelude Level, Minuet Level, and Concerto Level. Students participate in an exciting array of performances and specialized training in small groups. The Junior Division performs in two showcase concerts each year at National City Christian Church in Washington, DC. Additionally, in 2022 the NCC will launch its highly anticipated Summer Camp in Vail, Colorado. Explore below for additional details on each of these ensembles.
Sort by Level
Prelude Level
Minuet Level
Concerto Level
Prelude Level Minuet Level Concerto Level
Ages 5-6, no experience needed
Members of the Prelude Level are introduced to the thrilling world of music in a fun and interactive class designed to open up the ear and explore the possibilities of musical expression through listening and moving. Basic vowel formation, proper posture and the beginnings of breathing technique are taught, while the foundation of the Kodály Method is set.
Leah Murthy
Associate Conductor
lmurthy@ncchorus.com
Leah Murthy is a choral conductor and music educator who endeavors to create positive change in the lives of musicians and audiences through music. She is currently a Doctoral candidate in music education at Boston University. Leah holds a Master of Music degree from The Boston Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from the University of Massachusetts. In addition to conducting for the NCC, Leah is music teacher in Maryland for Anne Arundel County Schools. Leah recently presented a webinar on choral methods for the National Association for Music Education's NAfME Academy. She has had several articles published in national professional journals, such as the featured article "Affordable Music and Movement Props" in The Chorister and "Getting the Choir Back on Track" in The American Organist. She is also a professional guest blogger for Bear Paw Creek, a prominent music props company. The Air Force moved her family to Maryland from California where she served as Music Director for St. John's Episcopal Church in Roseville. There she founded the children's choir, directed both the adult and children's choirs and played the organ. Leah also served on the board of the Sacramento Chapter of the American Guild of Organists as Member-at-large. Leah has presented teacher research at the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Conference, and has been a guest speaker to The Boston Conservatory's graduate students on Carnatic (South Indian classical) music.
The Chorus is in session from September through May, and does not have rehearsals during the summer months of June, July and August. During the pandemic, students will participate in an exciting array of virtual performances and specialized online training (the Prelude Level in Washington, D.C. normally rehearses at National City Christian Church at Thomas Circle on Tuesday afternoons). In-person musical experiences will resume as soon as it is permitted by state and local guidelines. Please read below for more detailed information about scheduling and tuition, which will also be covered thoroughly during the application process.
Tuesday Afternoons
National City Christian Church & NCC Virtual Classroom
Ensemble Training
Music Theory & Sight-singing in the Kodály Method
Individualized Coachings with Conductor
Two concerts per year (Winter and Spring)
Approximately $199 per month.
Need-based scholarship awards are available to all qualifying families.
Book an audition
Ages 7-8, no experience to some experience
Members of the Minuet Level are introduced to the formal structure of a choral ensemble—posture, rehearsal protocol, and choral tone. Musical terms are taught and used freely in an environment where students are encouraged to be curious, ask questions and seek answers. Vocal technique, vowel formation, breathing, diction and phrasing are emphasized in order to create a beautiful sound, while sight-singing intervals and rhythms will be practiced in Kodály training.
The Chorus is in session from September through May, and does not have rehearsals during the summer months of June, July and August. During the pandemic, students will participate in an exciting array of virtual performances and specialized online training (the Minuet Level in Washington, D.C. normally rehearses at National City Christian Church at Thomas Circle on Tuesday afternoons). In-person musical experiences will resume as soon as it is permitted by state and local guidelines. Please read below for more detailed information about scheduling and tuition, which will also be covered thoroughly during the application process.
Ages 8-11, some experience to much experience
Members of the Concerto Level represent the highest levels of skill and maturity within the Junior Division. Students are expected to possess advanced skills and knowledge in the areas of tone, vowel formation, diction, breathing technique, and musicianship. From here, students are taught high-level choral and vocal skills, including singing in 2-part harmony within the context of complex repertoire that will include texts in foreign languages. Advanced Kodály Method skills will be employed as part of the curriculum that preps children for promotion to the Senior Division ranks.
Charles Owens
cowens@ncchorus.com
Charles M. Owens is currently a K-12 Department Chair for Performing Arts in D.C. as well as 5th-8th grade middle school choral director. He holds a Master of Arts degree with an emphasis in conducting from Webster University. His musical journey began when his mother enrolled him in an elementary summer music program to keep him active. He continued his studies earning a degree in piano pedagogy and taught private lessons for several years at Maestro Music studio in Ohio. Always a singer in church, community and university choirs, his choral conducting life began in 1996 when he was invited to build the choral program at the Wellington School in Columbus. Charles has studied with Dr. Amy Chivington, Dr. David Rayl and his choral mentor at Webster University Dr. Katherine Smith Bowers. During graduate studies, Charles traveled yearly to Berlin, Germany where he founded the Unity Gospel Choir in Pankow. He conducted three summer concert series with Unity before passing the baton to a local conductor. In 1999, He was appointed as conductor of the National Association of Independent Schools–People of Color Conference choir which he has directed for 21 years. His most recent choral activities include membership in the Dallas Symphony Chorus under Japp van Zweden and Festival Administrator for Hazamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir a program of the Zamir Choral Foundation, Matthew Lazar founder and director. When he's not conducting or teaching, Charles spends as much time as possible visiting his siblings and their children in Cologne and Kiefersfelden, Germany.
The Chorus is in session from September through May, and does not have rehearsals during the summer months of June, July and August. During the pandemic, students will participate in an exciting array of virtual performances and specialized online training (the Concerto Level in Washington, D.C. normally rehearses at National City Christian Church at Thomas Circle on Tuesday afternoons). In-person musical experiences will resume as soon as it is permitted by state and local guidelines. Please read below for more detailed information about scheduling and tuition, which will also be covered thoroughly during the application process.
Tuesday afternoons & by appointment
Dalcroze Eurythmics Education