Join Us! - Why Join CCM?

What the Children Say...

We asked our choristers to share how they value their experiences at CCM and how CCM affects their lives. Read what they have to say.

Moran B. says...

Hawaii Tour
I began CCM 6 years ago, in 4th grade, at the age of 9. I had been taking music classes at school, but nothing could compare to the education I would get at CCM. They give you an exceptionally high level of education but in a fun way, that makes you want to learn, and makes you want to practice. You play games and learn, and some times you don’t even realize that in what you’re doing you are learning.

But you don’t just get an education out of CCM, the friendships that we all have made can’t possibly compare to the friendships you would find anywhere else. You all have a common interest and a common love, everyone’s supportive, and everyone tries to help.

You also get the opportunity for amazing experience. We’ve been to Hawaii and Europe and the Lyric Opera House. The teachers are exceptional. The whole time I was working on my audition to Carver Center for vocal music, I was talking to Ms. Mairee, and she was helping me through, and she deserves a great amount of credit for why I was accepted.

What CCM gives you won’t find anywhere else. The commitment, the friendship, the experience, and the memories; it’s what truly makes CCM great.
Shaelyn R. says...
[T]hroughout my years with CCM, I’ve not only gained a lot of practice refining singing skills but also learned to sight read complicated pieces, to sing Solfa, to compose musical arrangements, and much, much more! Although it certainly requires hard work and long hours to get a grasp on all of these skills, it pays off in ways such as being able to play and understand instruments far more easily, to feel compelled to try new things in the musical world, and these skills give you confidence, encouraging you to step it up. Not being much of a morning person, getting up early every Saturday morning can be a bit of a stretch for me. However, CCM always manages to change my mood around, as I can go into chorus as a complete grouch, and come out beaming. This is because CCM is such an incredibly positive environment. Every hour is filled with laughing, friendship, and learning all in one.

Relaxing in the Green Room during rehearsal
Six years ago, on my very first day of CCM, I was unsure about everything. However, once we all started singing, in our little beginner voices, all that doubt faded away, and I knew that I would stick it through to the end. CCM challenges us to learn pieces representing many styles of music, and to perform songs in various languages that can be both simple, and terribly complicated all at once.

When you are in the audience for a CCM concert, you are focusing on the sound; how the words come out, the way everything pieces together, why it is that the words echo from the walls. However, when you are part of the chorus, up on stage singing, you could care less on how the words echo, because all you are focusing on is the feeling, and your voice does the rest.

The most amazing thing about CCM; the thing that keeps me coming back 4 and a half hours each week-after-week, year after year, is not simply the lessons or the songs, or even getting to sing so often! It’s the feeling you get when you are singing with the chorus and suddenly everything comes together. It’s when suddenly all the puzzle pieces fit and you are left with one big, unified picture, only at CCM, it’s one big unified sound. This doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone has to be singing the same note, it just means that it’s the time when out of the blue, everything just works. Every time this happens, I literally get shivers. CCM is such an amazing experience and I honestly can’t imagine what I would do without it.
Veronica P. says...

Austria Tour
...I am 15 years old and this is my 9th year participating in the Children’s Chorus of Maryland. When I think of CCM, I think of the amazing friendships I have made and most importantly the music. When the week is tough with all of the schoolwork, I always look forward to Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings when I get to spend time with my best friends. Even though none of us go to school together, we all share a common love for music which brings us closer together.

When I was 6 years old, my school music teacher, Mr. Allman suggested that I should audition for the Children’s Chorus of Maryland. I decided to give it a try. I vividly remember walking into the CCM office full of teachers trying to hold back my tears as I was more nervous than I had ever been in my life. When I got the letter that I was accepted I was now considered a member of the Children’s Chorus of Maryland, not knowing that this would change my life.

With CCM I’ve sung for governors, presidents, athletes, politicians, families and friends. I’ve sung in operas and ballets and been a part of recording sessions. One of my favorite parts of these experiences, and probably the same for every other CCM chorister, are the bus rides home. As many of the parents and chaperones know, we sing nonstop, the whole way home. Not just pop songs that are on the radio, but we sing our chorus songs and even harmonize!

Hawaii Tour
In the beginning of my music “career” with CCM, I barely knew how to read music, the details and importance of rhythms, and what solfege was. Through CCM’s amazing education program, solfa is now second nature and I use it all the time. I have grown so much in the past 9 years of my life and will continue to do so. At Roland Park Country School I am taking Music Theory as a class, and it is definitely an “easy A” and cannot even compare to the things we learn in CCM.

So now its 9 years later. Looking back, I have realized that CCM is more than just singing; it’s friendship, performing, education and great memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you!

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