Maria Isaak, director
Rehearsals take place on Mondays, and the spring semester begins on January 27, 2025:
- Fledglings (grades K-2) meet 4:10-4:55pm
- Fliers (grades 3-5) meet 5:00-5:55pm
- Finches (grades 6-8) meet 6:00-7:05pm
Join us for an Open Sing at our first rehearsal on January 27. For the spring semester, the Purple Finches will rehearse and perform the musical, Suessical Jr. on May 16-18, 2025.
Choral singing builds musical skills and life skills in a fun, social environment. The Purple Finches are composed of three divisions to allow for an age-appropriate sequence of musical development. Participants learn basic music elements through high quality literature such as rhythm, solfège, ear-training, memory development, hand signs, and proper singing technique based on Kodály methods. For children also learning an instrument, it strengthens sight-reading, ear-training, and rhythmic security. For others, it’s an excellent introduction to music. And for all, it’s a rich experience of creativity and self-expression.
This is Maria’s twenty-first year conducting the Purple Finches Choruses! In addition to our regularly scheduled “in-house” performances at CCMS, the Fledglings, Fliers, and Finches Select choruses have sung at Concord’s First Night, with Concord Chorale at South Church, at Canterbury Shaker Village, with the Concord Coachman’s Chorus at City Auditorium, the Songweavers at South Church, Suncook Valley Chorale, & with Christine Lavin & Eastern Ballet at the Capitol Center for the Arts. Each year, we are fortunate to have our own choral members win seats in OAKE’s (Organization of National Kodaly Educators) National Choirs. Our alumni choral members go on to NHMEA All State Choruses each year.
For more information or to register a child for Purple Finches, click here.
Choral Assistantship: (Grades 9-12) We’ve been fortunate that many former students return to “pay it forward” and help along the next generation of choristers. This program has developed to include experiences in teaching and conducting, accompaniment, section leading, mentoring, classroom management, tutoring, teaching music literacy, ear training, cataloging, program preparation, and more! If your high school age child is interested in being a choral assistant, please email Maria at maria.isaak@gmail.com
For the 2024-2025 year, we have a teen chorus for grades 9-12 that meets on Mondays from 7:10-8:25 PM. Learn more here.
Fledglings
Grades K-2
Participation in Fledglings develops the child’s natural voice and establishes a good singing range through rounds, partner songs, folk songs & dances, composed songs, and other high-quality repertoire. A typical class will consist of rhythmic games, solfege games, play-party songs, recorder playing, folk dancing, and lots of singing!
Fliers
Grades 3-5
Fliers practice widens the vocal range and develops further harmonic and rhythmic security through work with songs in two-and three-part harmony.
Finches Select
Grades 6-8
Finches Select is for students who desire to learn more about vocal technique and choral singing. This chorus focuses on developing strong literacy as well as technical skills, such as intonation, breathing, proper vocal production, and diction skills. A wide variety of performances develop musical maturity and vocal confidence.
Fledglings
Grades K-2
Participation in Fledglings develops the child’s natural voice and establishes a good singing range through rounds, partner songs, folk songs & dances, composed songs, and other high-quality repertoire. A typical class will consist of rhythmic games, solfege games, play-party songs, recorder playing, folk dancing, and lots of singing!
Fliers
Grades 3-5
Fliers practice widens the vocal range and develops further harmonic and rhythmic security through work with songs in two-and three-part harmony.
Finches Select
Grades 6-8
Finches Select is for students who desire to learn more about vocal technique and choral singing. This chorus focuses on developing strong literacy as well as technical skills, such as intonation, breathing, proper vocal production, and diction skills. A wide variety of performances develop musical maturity and vocal confidence.