History

In the fall of 1983, Peggy Rosenkranz organized the Centennial Children's Chorus with the help of several interested parents who shared her hope and dream that Fort Collins could support a citywide children's choir. After starting with one choir of 57 voices, over the past three decades, over two-thousand young lives have been enriched by their involvement in CCC. Currently, 180 singers make-up the four choirs, with members from communities across northern Colorado.

CCC builds upon the vocal training offered in the schools and is dedicated to performing quality music literature in a variety of musical experiences that can be enjoyed by all ages. Repertoire is selected to fit the skill level of each choir with focus on quality choral works for children's choirs. Former CCC members have gone on to teach music, perform in professional music organizations, and perform in musical theater in venues around the world.

CCC has sponsored three Children's Choir Festivals here in Fort Collins with nationally known directors: Scot Franklin, Henry Leck, and Francisco Nunez. Participating choirs were from Greeley, Cheyenne, Colorado Springs, Littleton, and Longmont.  The choirs have performed with many local and regional musical organizations including the Larimer Chorale, the Fort Collins Symphony, the Loveland Chamber Orchestra, the Fort Collins Chamber Chorale, Opera Fort Collins, the CSU Symphony Orchestra and Choir, and the University of Wyoming Orchestra and Choir.

CCC Choirs

Jubilate: "Joyful Voices"
Jubilate is a performance choir for singers in grades 4-7, with major emphasis on vocal training.
Director: Marlene Hutton.

Bel Canto: "Beautiful Singing"
Bel Canto is for advanced young singers in grades 3-5. Besides extensive vocal training, they focus on two and three part choral literature and perform in the traditional concert schedule.
Director: Karen Nuttall.

Cantare: "To Sing"
Cantare is the intermediate choir for Grades 6-8. They concentrate on further development of their vocal skills and are part of the traditional concert schedule.
Director: Sheri McKelfresh

Sala Voce: "Chamber Voices"
Sala Voce is the most advanced group of singers in CCC, and is open only to singers, grades 6 - 8, who have been in CCC for at least one year. They perform the most difficult repertoire and have extra musical responsibilities and experiences.
Director: Sheri McKelfresh

First Impressions:
First Impressions is a select group of third and fourth grade singers who meet in a short-term workshop experience to increase their singing skills needed for auditions for the other CCC choirs while preparing an informal performance.
Director: Sheri McKelfresh