Mission:

The purpose of the Heart of the Valley Children’s Choir is to give each child the opportunity to find the artist within. Through the study and performance of a wide variety of excellent musical literature, the child learns, shares, and enjoys. The Heart of the Valley Children’s Choir believes that children:

Learn:

about history and cultures through music.

discipline and self-management through participation in choir.

that musicality is an important part of the learning process.

to appreciate excellent musical literature.

Share:

their unique individuality with each other, which contributes to the success of the whole choir.

the highest level of excellence in public and recorded performances.

and contribute to the cultural life of Corvallis, Oregon, the Nation and the World.

Enjoy:

a choir that maintains a climate of warmth and valuing people.

themselves and personal expression when they feel positive about their experiences.

participating.

evaluation and competition as part of the growth process when they recognize the primary area of competition is within their own potential.

singing for its own sake.

History:
In 1984, after attending an Education Through Music (ETM) conference, two music teachers from Corvallis and Salem decided to start a children's choir. They planned a choir that would be more than a place for already trained voices; it would also be a place for children of many ages to learn and appreciate music. The two music educators had identified children in the Corvallis and Salem schools who had beautiful voices but would probably not receive any musical training outside of the public school setting.

During the first season, 100 children signed up for the choir. The choir consisted of 4th, 5th and 6th graders from Corvallis, Albany, Philomath, and Salem. Singers from the first choir are still involved in music: teaching music and singing in choirs.

Today, the choir supports the music education and personal growth of 300 children from Benton, Linn and Marion Counties from 3rd through 12th grades. This extended music supports, and is in partnership with, the music education of the local public school districts.