Since 1987, the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra (RDSO) has been committed to community programming, and has taken a strong leadership role in providing relevant programs for all age groups. We have endeavoured to meet the need in our community for enjoyable, educational, and affordable music programs, in order to nurture a new generation of music lovers, provide cultural experiences that develop creative thinking, and encourage a consciousness about their community. Our Choir Kids program has become an important element in the schools’ programming, and many students, teachers and families have been touched by this experience.

Introduced in 1998 by our Music Director Claude Lapalme, Choir Kids is a unique music opportunity which serves elementary school-aged children. Introduced as the first of its kind in Canada, the Choir Kids program allows children’s choirs the opportunity to rehearse and perform two pieces of choice with a professional orchestra. Maestro Lapalme personally orchestrates all the music for these performances. At the conclusion of the concert, all the participant voices join together for a mass choir piece.

The Choir Kids concerts hosts a total of 16-18 choirs from Red Deer and central Alberta, including home schooled children in community choirs. Overall attendance across these often sold out performances exceeds 3200 ticket holders.

Our Choir Kids program targets music education objectives outlined in the provincial curriculum that are challenging for the schools to sufficiently address, and in numerous ways, exceeds the musical opportunities available through in-school music programming. Funding provided in support of Choir Kids goes directly towards making the program happen in the most accessible way. Approximately 60% of revenues necessary for the operation of the Choir Kids program are from corporate and community support. While ticket prices and school registration fees represent 40% of revenues, they are kept to a minimum until a fully funded program is achieved.

Red Deer is one of the only cities of its size, in Canada, to boast a fully professional orchestra; making the Choir Kids experience for children, truly unique!

https://www.rdso.ca/