Cantare Children's Choirs of Oakland is an Education and Outreach program of Cantare Con Vivo. Our program offers high-quality choral music education in urban neighborhoods of Oakland where children have limited access to arts programs. All students participate in our program and special activities at no charge, through financial support from donors, local businesses and foundations. By participating in meaningful musical experiences, our young singers develop increased self-esteem, through discipline, teamwork and healthy social behavior, providing them with essential tools for living successful and productive lives.

Our education and outreach program began in Fall 1999 with a choir of third-fifth graders. In response to community needs, our program has grown to offer weekly rehearsals, regular community performances and field trips for 1000 Oakland students in kindergarten through tenth grade. In 2007, we were selected to perform in the opening ceremonies for the National Conference of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association. In 2005, our program was recognized with the Outstanding Education Program award from Chorus America.

In April 2008, our All Star Singers earned first place with a “gold” rating among junior high choirs in the Anaheim Heritage Festival. In addition, one of our singers was chosen from thousands of participating students to receive Disney's "Million Dreams" award. The judges were excited about the work we are doing in our program and summed it up by telling our students after their beautiful performance: 'You are the hope of the world'.

"Watching my students learn and grow this weekend made me so grateful that Cantare has chosen to invest in the future of each one of these remarkable children. Music fills them with so much hope and pride." - Julie Haydon

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Elementary Programs

We are partnering with three Oakland schools to offer choral music education during the school day for kindergarten, first and second grade students. Students learn a diverse collection of international folk songs and singing games while progressing through a sequential curriculum based on Kodály music education and the National Standards for the Visual and Performing Arts. In addition to building vocabulary, reading and social skills, students learn to read and write music, and perform for school and community events. We also bring a special unit into fourth grade classrooms, bringing alive the music and historical events that have shaped California History.

Our after-school “Music Stars” choirs offer third, fourth and fifth grade students the opportunity to gain more in-depth musical experiences. Students rehearse twice a week, learning singing fundamentals and music theory, and performing in a variety of musical styles in unison and part-singing. Singers also participate in special field trips to live musical performances and special performances bringing together students from all of our partner schools.

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                                                          Lincoln Elementary

This is the fourth year of our partnership with Lincoln Elementary, located in Oakland’s Chinatown. Directors: Julie Haydon and Erika Uribe

“The halls are alive with the sound of music when Cantare Con Vivo comes to Lincoln. The engagement of the students is palpable, and the smiles on the faces of both the teachers and the students reflect the wonderful sense of community that's created when music is in the air. Our students not only love to sing but are also finding great satisfaction and excitement when learning to read and write music. What a channel for expression and creativity!”
-Caroline Yee Principal, Lincoln Elementary

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Lafayette School

We have collaborated with Lafayette School in West Oakland for eight years to offer a music education program. Directors: Julie Haydon, Annie Hargraves and Carol Kerr

"My students had the opportunity to learn about rhythm and beat, musical notation and pitch this year and I rarely saw them more engaged. The curriculum was perfectly tuned to the developmental level and interests of my first graders, and even reinforced vocabulary and reading skills." –Jason Polastri, First Grade Teacher, Lafayette Elementary

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Cleveland Elementary

We are beginning a new partnership with Cleveland Elementary to bring choral music education to a new community in the Haddon Hill neighborhood of Oakland. Directors: Julie Haydon, Erika Uribe.

 

 

 

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Melrose Leadership Academy

We are partnering with Melrose Leadership Academy, a dual immersion (Spanish/English) school to bring choral music to sixth graders during the extended day program. Students working with Teaching Artist Lydia Mills to study the zampoñoas, traditional pan pipes from the Andes, and to sing and play folk music from South America.

 

 

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Music of the Andes

This year, we are proud to bring Teaching Artist Lydia Mills to work in all of our second grade classrooms. Lydia draws on her rich musical experience to bring alive the music of the Andes, through songs and singing games in Spanish and by teaching students about traditional instruments of South America.

 

 

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All-Star Singers

The All Star Singers is an auditioned choir of 33 students in grades 6-10 who join together from ten Oakland schools, under the direction of Julie Haydon. This ensemble includes advanced singers who have graduated from our elementary programs and boys with changed voices. Singers perform challenging choral repertoire in a variety of styles in addition to learning music theory concepts and studying the historical and cultural context of each piece. Students rehearse in downtown Oakland to prepare for regular community performances and an annual performance tour.

“My favorite part was when we went to the competition because we sang our best. We were the smallest group but we still won the spirit award because we had the biggest hearts.” - 8th Grade Student, The All Star Singers

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Nova Treble Choir

Our newest ensemble brings together unchanged voices from grades 5-10 from twelve Oakland schools. Students come together to learn advanced treble choir repertoire in a variety of styles to perform for the community. Nova rehearses in downtown Oakland.

 

 

 

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Summer Music Camp

During our summer music camp, students from grades 3-6 meet daily in Downtown Oakland, exploring musical concepts in depth, participating in daily choir rehearsals, attending field trips to live concerts and learning from guest musicians. In 2008, thirty students from nine Oakland schools joined together to learn about the evolution of music in America since the advent of the radio.

 

 

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Make a Difference

Volunteer mentors play a key role in our success by encouraging students and supporting their growth. Volunteers are needed for weekly rehearsals to sit with students during rehearsals to help them learn their parts and help young readers. Volunteers can also assist with special events, such as concerts and field trips. Find out more about how you can make a difference by contacting Director Julie Haydon, Director, at julie@cantareconvivo.org or (510)529-1770.