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Who We Are

In February 2008, Mayor Fenty and the government of the District of Columbia awarded Singing A - Z a Certificate of Appreciation "In recognition of your outstanding service, rendered to the children and seniors of the District of Columbia." 

Singing A - Z's interactive concerts, with a rich and varied repertoire, expose students to a high standard of quality music and excellence in performance.  Our instruction uses the District of Columbia public schools Music Standards as a guide and also addresses Language Arts and Social Studies Standards.

Our class sessions and concerts provide children the opportunity for creative expression and foster self-discipline and the ability to work together.  Students are given the opportunity to experience the thrill of accomplishment in an artistic endeavor.

Our program in the schools expanded rapidly from one elementary school in our first season to four schools in 2007-2008. From the beginning, the children enjoyed the dramatic narrative of each concert and loved singing and playing rhythm instruments with the ensemble. It was apparent, however, that advance preparation in smaller groups of children would enhance the concert experience.  In the fall of 2007, SAZ conducted classroom sessions in one school.  The enthusiastic response of the students, teachers, and principal led SAZ to expand the classroom program to two schools in 2008 and to three of our four schools for the 2009-10 school year. In this season, SAZ will present concerts in four elementary schools and will conduct approximately forty-five classroom sessions in the months prior to the concerts. These sessions include an art project for the second grade. The children make their own rhythm instruments to play in their school’s concert.

 

Meet our Music Director and Accompanists

 

 

The themes of our concerts broaden children’s knowledge of American history and of life in countries around the world. Our 2006-2007 concert, Take the "A" Train, explored an American repertoire representing our multi-cultural heritage and included historical American folk songs, jazz, spirituals, calypso, and music of American Indian, Jewish, and Hispanic origins.  In SAZ's 2007-2008 program, Safari to America, children experienced music brought to our shores centuries ago from Africa and the British Isles.  They learned how these sounds have intertwined to create music that is distinctly American.  

In the 2008-2009 show, Where In the World Am I? children visited many different countries.  Themes for the concert included respect for our beautiful earth and the need for us all to give our best to live in peace and keep our world beautiful and safe.  The concert for the 2009-2010 season is entitled Can You Feel That Rhythm?  Students will explore many different kinds of songs, including work songs, folk and ceremonial songs, and song that tell a story.`

The aural experience in all of our children's concerts is enhanced by the use of instruments in addition to the piano, including a wide variety of percussion instruments, guitar, and banjo.  The use of drama and colorful visuals beings another dimension to the concerts. 

These concerts are designed to let students know that they can enjoy a wide variety of music.  There are great possibilities for related visual arts projects with the students.  There are also wonderful opportunities for follow-up in class discussion or writing assignments.  Exploring together all kinds of music can provide unique educational experiences and will enhance our sense of a shared community.  Our experience tells us that our choral ensemble is adding another dimension to the lives of Washington's children.  

 

 

 

While Singing A - Z's focus has become primarily centered upon our work with children, we will continue to bring a fun and uplifting concert to our fans at St. Mary's Court, a senior residence in Foggy Bottom. rs enjoyed participating in an appropriately modified vers

 

 

 

 

Click here for a panorama of this fruitful ministry!

 

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