“Simply put, if you’re searching for a group of talented, engaged and generous community members, you would do well to start with a chorus.” -- Todd Estabrook, Chairman of Chorus America

Following up on last week’s Choral Clout 2009, here are some additional benefits of chorus you may want to share with your booster group, administrator, or school board, especially if you’re asked to explain why chorus should continue in the curriculum. Save this for next September!

Choral students get better grades than kids who have never participated in a singing group.

90% of educators believe singing in a choir can keep some students who might otherwise be lost engaged in school.

Educators observe that kids in chorus are better participants in group activities, have better emotional expression, and exhibit better emotional management than kids who aren’t.

78% of choral singers say they “at least sometimes” volunteer their time in their community while only 50% of general public says they do the same.

74% agree and strongly agree that singing in a chorus has helped them become better team leaders or team participants in other areas of their lives.

The majority of parents surveyed believe “multiple skills” increased after their child joined a chorus:
71% of respondents say their children are more confident
70% say children have more self-discipline
69% say their child’s memory skills have improved

See the full Choral Impact Report, 2009

See Part One of Choral Clout 2009

Next Week: Favorite Five

--Sue Rarus, June 16, 2009, © MENC: The National Association for Music Education