South Hadley Chorale logo Music is heard
with the ears--
understood
with the mind--
and felt with
the heart.
South Hadley Children's Chorus

SHCC on tour, May 6, 2008, photo by Jeanne Tripp

The Children's Chorus, comprised of children aged 7 to 13, now offers a nine-month program (September-May) with children accepted by audition. September 8 is the last audition date prior to the 2008-2009 season. Children should like to sing, be able to read words and match pitches. Interested parents, please contact us.



Tentative 2008-2009 Concert Schedule:

  • Sunday, November 2 (time to be announced) Concert Loomis Village, South Hadley.
  • Sunday afternoon, December 14 Joint concert with "Mak'hela," the Pioneer Valley's Jewish Chorus. Buckley Recital Hall, Amherst College.
  • Saturday afternoon, February 14 Holyoke Children's Museum.
  • Saturday evening, March 7 Soup and Song: Benefit for Not Bread Alone, First Congregational Church, Amherst.
  • Sunday afternoon, March 15 Abbey Chapel, Mount Holyoke College; with South Hadley Chorale.
  • Sunday afternoon, April 19 Participation in Mahler's Third Symphony with Smith College Orchestra, John M. Greene Hall, Northampton.
  • Saturday night, May 9 Participation in Orff's Carmina Burana with Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Springfield.
  • May, 2009 Exact date to be announced. School-day Tour.
Tessa and Nicole on tour, photo by Jeanne Tripp Founded in 2001 by Catherine Waldron, the Children's Chorus is now in its third year under the baton of Catharine Melhorn. Traditionally the Children's Chorus has been subsidized by the South Hadley Chorale, by a grant from the South Hadley Cultural Council which is the local agency of the Massachusetts Cultural Council and also by donations from a few generous community patrons. The chorus also depends on membership fees of $100 per year per child. Scholarships and discounts for siblings are available.



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Children's Chorus
Cathy Melhorn, Conductor

Cathy Melhorn Cathy Melhorn, recently retired as long-time Choral Director at Mount Holyoke College, is a graduate of Smith College with advanced degrees from UC Berkeley and the University of Illinois. She has led Mount Holyoke choirs on tours to China, South America, Eastern and central Europe, England, Wales, Costa Rica and throughout the US and Canada. Between 1987 and 1992, Ms. Melhorn was founder and director of the highly successful Mount Holyoke Children's Choir which performed throughout the Pioneer Valley, with the Springfield Symphony and in New York City. She is thrilled with this opportunity to work again with young singers.

"I really love watching kids develop a passion for singing in the company of other children who share their interest and enthusiasm. Through exciting repertory drawn from many different cultural traditions and good vocal training, I aim to nurture the artist in each child. The kids learn songs, of course, but also poise, self-esteem and the joy of creating and sharing something beautiful through careful and persistent practice. And it's great fun!"
South Hadley Chorale receives funding assistance from the Massachusetts Cultural Council