FAQs

School Choirs

Through the School Choir program, thousands of children in more than 80 Chicago schools receive classroom training in basic music theory and choral performance from professional music educators. Singers in this program have the opportunity to explore the expressive qualities of music while developing a sense of self-discipline, pride and intercultural understanding.

Learn more about our School Programs.

After-school Choirs

Prelude provides beginning level vocal instruction and literacy for first and second grade students (ages six through eight). Through songs and games, singers will be introduced to foundational musicianship skills. Prelude is currently available at the Lincoln Park/DePaul and Hyde Park locations.

Neighborhood Choirs are tuition-based programs that provide beginning, intermediate and advanced choral training with a deeper, performance-based education and increased opportunities to connect with singers through after-school programs in 12 Chicago communities across the city and beyond. These programs are open to 8-18 year old singers and offer levels of programming to suit varying levels of musical ability. Singers can potentially advance into Dimension (an ensemble for changing voices) and Voice of Chicago (an audition-based high school age advanced youth ensemble).

We currently offer Neighborhood Choirs in Albany Park, Austin, Beverly, Englewood, Gage Park, Garfield Park (Off the Street Club), Humboldt Park, Hyde Park, Lincoln Park/DePaul, Pilsen/Little Village,Rogers Park and West Town.

Dimension is a unique ensemble for singers age 12 and up who are beginning the vocal transition into emerging tenor and baritone voices. This ensemble offers many performance opportunities independently and with other Uniting Voices Chicago programs.

Voice of Chicago is our premier mixed-voice ensemble, maintaining an extensive performance schedule that includes touring and collaborations with Chicago’s finest cultural institutions.

Learn more about our after-school choir programs.

Yes! Because the programs provide different experiences, often singers participate in both the School and the Neighborhood Choir programs. Some of the performance opportunities that only our Neighborhood Choir Program offers include collaborations with artistic partners like Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, some pillar events like Canto Latino, and the Bridging America Tour.

Yes! Our Prelude Program provides beginning level vocal instruction and literacy for first and second grade students (ages six through eight). Through songs and games, singers will be introduced to foundational musicianship skills. Prelude is available at the Lincoln Park/DePaul and Hyde Park locations.

Registration confirms the singer’s participation in Uniting Voices Chicago after-school programs. Families should complete online via our Blackthorn registration platform. Singers may not be eligible to participate in Uniting Voices Chicago activities until registration is received. A $15 fee will be collected at the time of registration.

Check out our How-To Guide for assistance with registration!

Uniting Voices Chicago is committed to working with all families regardless of circumstance to make tuition accessible. Families who are not able to meet tuition requirements or deadlines should contact Uniting Voices Chicago’s Citywide Program Manager, Jackie Johnson, at jjohnson@unitingvoiceschicago.org.

Each singer will receive one or more uniforms that are provided by Uniting Voices. Families will pay for uniform shoes (ranging from $50-$150). Occasional informal performances will require singers to wear a Uniting Voices t-shirt with jeans or black pants. Replacement uniform items and extra t-shirts can be purchased.

Uniting Voices respects all students’ gender identity and gender expression by honoring the uniform selection that each singer feels is best suited to their gender identity. In the case where there are two different uniforms, singers may select to wear Uniform A or Uniform B. Based on their selection, singers will be provided with the appropriate sizing for all uniforms to be worn for performances.

Uniting Voices will provide uniform pieces and size exchanges as needed throughout the singer’s time in the choir. Families will pay for uniform shoes as needed as well as replacements for lost or damaged uniform pieces. Families are also expected to turn in uniform pieces that they have outgrown or when they are no longer a participant in Uniting Voices.

Uniting Voices Chicago incorporates assessment into the program year to allow conductors to better understand individual singer progress and to give singers feedback on specific areas of strength and opportunities for growth. Uniting Voices Chicago’s assessments connects the mission to the skills and concepts that singers work toward mastering throughout the year. Singers complete voice placements at the start of each year. Assessments combined with voice placements are used to place singers in the appropriate ensemble and voice part. Conductors informally assess singers throughout the year. A singer may be asked to demonstrate mastery of performance skills or musical knowledge.

Albany Park

albanypark@unitingvoiceschicago.org

Austin

austin@unitingvoiceschicago.org

Beverly

beverly@unitingvoiceschicago.org

Dimension

jjohnson@unitingvoiceschicago.org

Englewood

englewood@unitingvoiceschicago.org

Gage Park

gagepark@unitingvoiceschicago.org

Humboldt Park

humboldtpark@unitingvoiceschicago.org

Hyde Park

hydepark@unitingvoiceschicago.org

Lincoln Park/DePaul

lincolnpark@unitingvoiceschicago.org

Pilsen/Little Village

pilsenlv@unitingvoiceschicago.org

Prelude (Hyde Park)

prelude-hp@unitingvoiceschicago.org

Prelude (Lincoln Park)

prelude-lpd@unitingvoiceschicago.org

Rogers Park

rogerspark@unitingvoiceschicago.org

Voice of Chicago

vocattendance@unitingvoiceschicago.org

West Town

westtown@unitingvoiceschicago.org