Our History

The Durham Children’s Choir is a singing group of students in grades three through eight from the Durham area. The first auditions were held for the choir May 17-19, 2004. Over 134 children came to the auditions; they represented most of the Durham Public elementary and middle schools, private and church schools, and home-schooled children.100 children were selected for the choir. The Choir will be directed by Scott Hill, retired teacher with the Durham Public Schools. Her associate conductor is Dena Byers, music teacher at Hillandale Elementary School. The accompanist is Vangie Poe, organist at Temple Baptist Church and private piano instructor.

The choir performed with Bobby McFerrin in their Inaugural Season at Duke University.

The Durham Children’s Choir studies and performs a wide variety of choral music, including sacred and secular music, world music, gospel, Broadway and American popular songs. Music theory and appreciation are included in the weekly rehearsals.

Financial support for the Durham Children’s Choir for it's inaugural season came from the Durham Arts Council in the form of an Emerging Artists Grant ($1500), a grant from Duke University Chapel ($3000), and gifts from the community. Tuition for each choir member was $25. The yearly budget includes funds for the purchase of music and uniforms, honorariums for the choir’s accompanist and assistant conductor and performance and publicity expenses.

For more information contact the director, Scott Hill via email or call (919) 489-1451.