Crowden Children’s Chorus

We love the Crowden Childen’s Choir. Our 10 year daughter has been in the choir for three straight seasons. She loves it. The commitment was perfect for our daughter. Every Saturday at 9:30 am. The director, Betsy Marvit is amazing. She fun, engaging, committed, and an expert in her discipline. She choses the most amazing pieces for the children to sing. And the performances are a real treat. The kids really respond. If your looking for a choir program, this is the one.

My kids have been singing in the Children’s Chorus for more than three years. Betsy chooses a wide variety of songs, which are multi-​part compositions and often in other languages. Yet, this challenging content is always presented with a deep sense of fun. Betsy has a sense of humor that hits the sweet spot for elementary aged kids, while teaching them how to use their voices. I have been impressed that the chorus has worked so well, both for my son, who has a naturally beautiful voice, and for my daughter, who started with little talent but great enthusiasm. Even on days when the kids are grumpy leaving the house, they come out of chorus joyful and engaged. I think an opportunity like this-​which is both complex and low key-​is a huge gift for kids. Recently, Betsy added a second chorus for the older kids, which was a wonderful way for the more experienced students to dive deeper into the music. I’m hoping that this will be offered again, so my rising sixth grader can keep coming!

I was searching for a chorus for my fourth grade daughter and stumbled upon Crowden Children’s Chorus. I didn’t know anything about it or anyone who did it, but the timing was right and I figured we’d give it a try. Unknowingly, we stumbled into this wonderful hidden gem of the East Bay. The director, Betsy Marvit, is not only a great musician, but she is like a kid-​whisperer. She combines utter silliness with great musicianship – the kids adore her (and I can see why). The only negative I can say about the Children’s Chorus is: forget about ever going away for the weekend during Chorus season again. Our daughter refused to miss a session – she begged us to do anything to avoid her missing her time with Betsy and the other kids. The chorus did their end of year «recital» today. I found myself humming one of the songs tonight and my daughter begged me to stop (and not for the usual reason she does – because I have an awful voice): «hearing you hum our song is only going to make me miss it more.» So – run, don’t walk, to sign your 7 – 12 year old up for the Crowden Children’s Chorus… unless, of course, you want to ever go away on a weekend during choral season…