Background

Jeanne Carter, Cindi Ellison, Linda Green and Ann Okins founded the Sioux Falls Girls Chorale in September 1995. Laura Olson joined the foursome a short while later. During the first year structures, policies and procedures of successful children’s choirs throughout the United States were studied. The Chorale was incorporated in November and was granted non-profit status shortly thereafter. Nominations from school music teachers and church music directors were received and the first auditions were held in May 1996. The Chorale began with one choir in the fall of 1996; expanded to two choirs in the fall of 1997 and added a third choir in the spring of 1999.

Highlights have included choir exchanges with children’s choruses from the Twin Cities and Fargo areas, performances in conjunction with the Anne Frank exhibit, an appearance with the Sioux Falls Municipal Band, several appearances with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, a premier performance of a commissioned work by nationally-noted composer Dorothy Christopherson and a proclamation by Mayor Gary Hanson naming the SFGC as “Female Musical Ambassadors to the city of Sioux Falls” as well as holiday appearances with the South Dakota Symphony and participation in the KIDZSING festivals in Sioux City. Tours have included southeast South Dakota, Omaha, Kansas City, the Twin Cities, Winnipeg, Canada, Washington D.C., Chicago, and Duluth.

Goals

• To foster the personal and social growth of choir members and promote their sense of self-work, self-esteem, accomplishment and pride.
• To attain the highest level of excellence in public and recorded performances.
• To maintain choir membership open to children of all racial, cultural, religious and economic backgrounds.
• To contribute to the cultural life of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the nation and the world.
• To develop musical literacy.
• To expose children to the values and beliefs of other cultures and societies.

Repertoire and Curriculum

The Sioux Falls Girls Chorale is a special learning environment designed to provide a rich and rewarding musical experience for each child. The children study and perform a variety of music from simple unison folk songs to contemporary musical literature. Both sacred and secular repertoire are selected.

The music chosen is from many religious and secular traditions and performed in a variety of settings. Since the repertoire is not selected to intrude upon anyone’s personal beliefs, it is essential that all singers be willing to sing all repertoire.

Masterpieces of music from all styles and periods form the foundation for musical learning and serve as the basis for the curriculum. we believe that “children should be led to musical masterpieces by means of musical masterpieces” (Zoltan Kodaly). Since the best musical experiences for children are inherent in great music, the Sioux Falls Girls Chorale repertoire includes the music of the masters, past and present. Folk, popular, gospel, spirituals and patriotic music are included as well as special works commissioned especially for the Chorale.