Oberlin Choristers Honor Choir
Each year nearly 200 singers in grades 4-6 are recommended by their teacher to participate in this extraordinary event. Singers from school districts around Northeast Ohio join together in a day of singing, fun, and inspiration.
What's it like?
Take a look at last year!
Schedule of the Day - March 23, 2024
8:45 a.m. Teachers arrive at First Church, Oberlin
9:00 a.m. STUDENTS arrive at First Church & check-in with teacher
9:30 a.m. Morning rehearsal at First Church begins
10:30a.m. Snack (provided by Choristers)
12:15 p.m. LUNCH BREAK
1:15 p.m. Afternoon rehearsal
3:00 p.m. Performance at First Church, historic Meeting House
Information & Typical Timeline:
Students pay a $45 participation fee* at the time of registration.
Each singer will receive choral scores of each piece to be performed.
November 15 – Deadline to confirm your school’s participation. Teachers complete our Participation Form to register their school.
November 21 – Teachers receive the number of singers you are permitted to select as well as online registration information to share with those families.
Teachers select the students they feel would best represent the school.
December – Student scores and teacher guidelines from the conductor will be mailed to schools.
January 1 – Student registration deadline
January – March – Rehearsals with singers.
~Teachers of participating schools meet with singers an average of 45 minutes a week. Some schools break that up over several days (lunch/recess) and some meet before or after school.
~Teachers set a rehearsal schedule that works best for their singers.
~Online recordings will be available to share with singers to help with the rehearsal process.
March 23, 2024 - Oberlin Choristers Children’s Honor Choir Day
~Participating teachers must be present for the entire Honor Choir Day. Teachers greet their students and observe and assist the guest conductor as needed throughout the day.
~Singers should wear dark blue jeans or pants and closed toe shoes. They will change into their Honor Choir t-shirt when they arrive.
~Parents join us at First Church at 3:00pm for a free concert!
~PARENTS AND SINGERS please look for an invitation letter from your school music teacher.
*Financial Aid is available. Email Amanda at info@ochoristers.org for information.
Please contact the Choristers office with any questions. Email Amanda at info@ochoristers.org
2024 Honor Choir Guest Conductor
Laura Farnell
Laura Farnell (b. 1975) is an active choral composer, clinician, accompanist, and adjudicator who resides in Arlington, Texas. After graduating summa cum laude from Baylor University with her Bachelor of Music Education in Choral Music (with a piano emphasis) in 1998, Laura taught elementary music in Mansfield, Texas for two years. She then taught for eight years at Boles Junior High in Arlington ISD, during which time the choir program earned numerous UIL sweepstakes awards. In 2004 she received an Excellence in Education Award as the Arlington Independent School District's outstanding junior high teacher of the year.
Laura especially enjoys working with middle school students, as well as composing and arranging for this age group, and she is represented by several music publishing companies. She is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Choral Directors Association, and The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. She and her husband, Russell, and their son, Ryan, attend First Presbyterian Church of Arlington.
