Expressions Choirs

"Our lives are enriched with the art of choral music so that we may have the honor of sharing its magic with the world."

Expressions:

• Provides a joyful, comprehensive choral experience for our singers
• Accelerates self-esteem
• Creates high expectations for self-motivated musicians
• Brings the best of the choral art to the families of the community
• Enhances school programs with enriched choral education
• Gifts our singers with life lessons, friendships, and memories

Expressions Choirs, formerly known as Ovation, was started by Candace Chamberlain in 1980. Since its creation, hundreds of young singers have found their way to Expressions.

We are a non-profit organization, and our mission is to give any child who wants to sing the opportunity to do so. In 30 years of existence, we have never turned a child away.

Choral Program

Expressions has two programs. During the Expressions choral season, which coincides with a traditional school year, the program consists of three different choirs. The Choralettes, our youngest group, has children in grades 1-3. The Chorale, our largest ensemble, includes singers in grades 4-12. Our third choir is an auditioned ensemble, Vocissima, with girls in grades 7-12.

Summer Theatre

Our second program is called Summer Theatre. It is a musical theater camp that runs for 2 to 3 weeks every June. During the camp, children ages 9-18 learn an entire musical production, including acting, singing, and dancing. This year we are doing a production of the musical "Seussical, Jr."  For more information, click here. Past productions of Summer Theatre include "Godspell Jr.", "High School Musical Jr.",  "Annie, Jr.", and most recently "Seussical Jr.".

At Expressions, we strive to teach our kids the highest level of musicianship and professionalism in all of our programs. Chorale and Vocissima have been featured guest ensembles in the Modesto Symphony Holiday Candlelight Concert for almost 20 years. We have also made appearances in the Modesto Symphony Christmas Pops Concerts.

In the summer of 2006, the Expressions Chorale was selected to participate in the prestigious Pacific Rim Children's Chorus Festival in Hawaii. It was a wonderful experience for our kids, and included instruction from world class choral conductors like Dr. Henry H. Leck, founder and Artistic Director of the Indianaplis Children's Choir, and Ms. Nola A. Nahulu, Artistic Director of the Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus.

Our organization is actively engaged within the communities of Stanislaus County. Our choruses have sung at many different community events, such as the Sund-Carrington Foundation Vigil of Hope, Community Hospice Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, the annual Santa Breakfast, Lions Club functions and others. Alumni of the Expressions program have gone on to perform roles on Broadway and for various opera companies, as well as work for entertainment companies like Nickelodeon. Several of our former singers have entered the teaching profession and are on the performing arts faculties of schools throughout the region including Thomas Downey, Modesto, Turlock, Our Lady of Fatima, and Fred C. Beyer high schools.