Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir

“A Choir”

1st-2nd Grade Singers

Early Elementary Choir Program

The Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir has been providing the highest quality music education and choral program for youth in our community since 1987. We have two choirs for elementary school students, we call them the “A” Choir and “B” Choir. These are the youngest training choirs in our full-year choir program.

Learn about the “A Choir” from RVCC Directory Ms. Kimberly Davidson

The A Choir is specially designed for 1st & 2nd grade students as a perfect stepping stone into the beginning stages of learning to read music. These youngest singers will begin their choir development through listening, learning by echo imitation, and building their auditory skills. Music reading will be introduced with very simple, easy to follow sheet music at a pre-reading level. The A Choir rehearses for 1 hour from 4:30-5:30 on Mondays each week at Bethel Baptist Church (1601 S COLORADO ST, SALEM, VA). During that rehearsal, they practice separately for 30 minutes with A Choir Director, Mrs. Roudebush, and also with RVCC Director, Ms. Davidson, in a combined choir rehearsal for 30 minutes.. 

The A Choir learns and performs 2 solo songs, as well as 1-2 combined songs in both RVCC annual concerts. All songs are sung in unison while learning healthy, age appropriate vocal techniques and beautiful choral vowel sounds. We also incorporate action songs and movement into each rehearsal, adding a bit of fun each week for our youngest choir!

Performance opportunities include the annual RVCC Holiday Concert and Community Carol Sing-Along. December and RVCC Spring Concerts in April.

The RVCC is a 501c-3 non-profit music education program funded through donations, grants, and student tuition. Tuition is paid throughout the year (August-April) and the tuition cost to sing in the “A Choir” program comes out to be about $60-$70 per month. Financial aid scholarships are available and can be applied for online here.


♫ LISTEN TO THE “A CHOIR” ♫


Quick Facts

2025-2026 Information for the A Choir:

♪ 1st-2nd Grade Singers (Ages 6-8)

♪ Choir Year is Sept. 8th, 2025 - April 25th, 2026

♪ Weekly Rehearsals = Mondays 4:30-5:30pm

♪ Tuition Cost = ~$60-$70 per month

♪ No audition required to join

On this page, you can find all the information you need to know about our A Choir program for 1st-2nd grade!

Jump to a Section to Learn More:

Behind the Name: Why is it called the “A” Choir?

Appoggiatura is the musical term for a grace note – the smallest and shortest type of note used in music. So, just as the appoggiatura note is the smallest type of note in music, the Appoggiatura Choir (or A Choir) is the smallest and youngest choir in the full-year RVCC choir program. The A Choir is the first level of the 3 training choirs – it’s where you learn the basics and where it all begins!


How To Join the “A Choir”

(1st-2nd grade)

There are 3 options to start the process of joining the choir. You can register right away if you’d like, you can watch the video Newcomer Welcome Class to learn more, or you can attend an in-person Newcomer Welcome Class offered in May, August, and December every year. You can do 1 of them, or all 3, in any order! You will ultimately need to register in order to join the RVCC.

Watch Video Newcomer Welcome Class

with Director Ms. Kimberly Davidson

Go to An in-person Newcomer Event

with Director Ms. Kimberly Davidson

Register to join the RVCC “A Choir” right now

Online through RVCC’s Active Network page


What We Teach In Our Choir Program

Singing in a children’s choir can be life changing for so many children. Along with the music, choir teaches confidence, teamwork, and leadership. It is a wonderful place to meet new people, build new friendships, and find a place in the community. It is our goal to provide the highest level of music education and excellence in all areas. We have been teaching music and building character in the Roanoke Valley since 1987. It is a joy to work with children and create beautiful music together!

As a member of the choir, each child learns all the foundational elements needed to grow a life-long love of music. Musical skills taught in the “A choir” program include:

  • Introduction to reading written music

  • Beginning elements of essential Music theory

  • Vocal techniques for beautiful, healthy singing

  • Proper vowel sounds, tone quality, and breath support

  • Coordination skills through music-based movements and choreography

As each student develops their musical skills in this nurturing group choral setting, they are also growing important developmental and character qualities that will stay with them throughout life.

  • Personal Confidence

  • Increased ability to focus

  • Determination and Perseverance

  • Executive Functioning Skills (Organization, motivation, self-discipline)

  • Leadership and Teamwork

  • Creativity and individual expression


Rehearsal Schedule

Rehearsals are once a week on Mondays at Bethel Baptist Church in Salem, VA from the end of August - April each school year. The Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir is a full-year 8 month choral program. The skills taught throughout the year are built upon each other and it is recommended to commit to the entire year of singing in the RVCC to receive the most benefits from the full program.

  • A Choir Rehearsals = Mondays 4:30-5:30 PM

Rehearsals for 2025-2026 will begin Monday, September 8th and go through Monday, December 15th, 2025, The RVCC Holiday Concert Performance is scheduled for Saturday, December 2oth, 2025. We have a break from rehearsals during the holiday season. Rehearsals will resume on Monday, January 12th and go through Monday, April 2oth, 2026, The RVCC Spring Concert Performance is scheduled for Saturday, April 25th, 2026.


Performance Dates

7th Annual RVCC FREE Community Sing-A-Long

Saturday, December 6th, 2025 at 11:00 AM

at the Taubman Museum of Art in Downtown Roanoke

39th Annual RVCC Holiday Concert

Saturday, December 20th, 2025 at 1:30 & 4:00

at Covenant Presbyterian Church

39th Annual RVCC Spring Concert

Saturday, April 25th, 2026 at 1:30 & 4:00

at Covenant Presbyterian Church


Choir Trips

Annual RVCC Fall Retreat at Smith Mountain Lake 4-H Camp

Saturday, October 18th, 2025

This is a super fun day full of rehearsals, group team building activities, kayaking & canoeing, crafts, games, and lots of singing! The A Choir will be participating in the Fall Retreat choir camp during the day on Saturday from about 10am-5pm. We hope that everyone in choir can join us for the Fall Retreat weekend! (but it is not required to participate). The cost is approx. $50 for the “A Choir” Fall Retreat day camp.

 

Tuition and Registration Prices 

♪ “A Choir” Early Elementary Choir Program (1 hour rehearsal once a week)

  • Full Tuition Price = $560 per year (8 payments of $70 per month)

    **Early Bird Price! Due May 31st = $480 per year (8 payments of $60 per month)

Reduced Tuition is offered to any families with a household income of less than $60,000 or anyone who may need the financial assistance. Use coupon code “RVCC15” when you register to receive this 15% tuition discount, if needed.

  • Registration for the 2025-2026 Choir Year is open through August 31st, 2025.

  • The first month’s tuition payment is due when you register. You can also choose to pay in full for the year up front.

  • Select the “enroll in payment plan” option during the last page of checkout on Active Network to set up the automatic monthly tuition payments. The remaining tuition balance will be divided into equal monthly payment made on the 5th of the month during the choir year.


Reduced Tuition and Financial Aid Scholarships

We want every child who loves to sing to have the opportunity to join the RVCC!

 

“A Choir” Formal Choir Costume

*Starting in Fall 2025, singers in the “A Choir” do not need to purchase a formal costume through the RVCC.

The “A Choir” concert costume will be dress up clothes of your own choice to match the season.

Holiday Concert “A Choir” Costume

Spring Concert “A Choir” Costume


“A Choir” Pictures


If you have any questions, you can contact the director, Kim Davidson, directly at:

Email: kimdavidson@childrenschoir.com

Phone: 540-676-7265


Past Performance Videos of the “A Choir”

“A Choir” in the RVCC Spring 2024 Concert

Responsive YouTube Embed

“A Choir” Solo Songs

Elementary A & B Choirs

RVCC Combined Choirs

Choir FUN Videos Throughout the Year!