Since its beginnings in 2002, the Chickasaw Children's Choir has had the honor of performing at milestone celebrations such as the "Ground blessing" of the American Indian Cultural Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Governor Brad Henry's Children's Inauguration and numerous times at the Oklahoma State Capitol. The choir also performs at a variety of tribal events, including the Chickasaw Annual Meeting and Festival and Youth Arts Celebration.
The training choir is designed for six and seven-year-old students. This group will learn more about their voices and musical expression through vocal and rhythmic exercises as well as learning breath control. This group will learn about the Chickasaw language through simple language songs.
The Children’s Choir is for ages eight-to-12-year-olds. Students in this group will continue learning musicianship and musicality through vocal, rhythmic and breathing exercises, but will also work on sound development and performance skills. Music learned will be in English and Chickasaw.
Rehearsals are conducted regularly in Ada, Ardmore and Sulphur. Other locations may be scheduled as students are added.
Youth ages 13 to 18 may participate in vocal development sessions. This is a program allowing singers to continue improving their vocal skills in a group setting beyond the children’s choir. Separate sessions are available for the female voice and the changed male voice.
In 2010, the Chickasaw Children’s Choir recorded their very first CD. The CD was an occasion for these young students to have a memorable learning experience. Songs learned were both in the Chickasaw and English language.
Songs list:
- Yaakni Yappa Chi Yaakni
- Chickasaw Numbers
- Chi Kilimpi Ma
- The Potter
- Chickasaw Colors
- Nowat Ishtaya
- Chickasaw Animals
- Bridge Builders
- Chickasaw Greeting
- Let The Journey Begin
Overall Goal: To offer opportunities for artistic and cultural expression through vocal music training and performances for Chickasaw and other youth.
Other Information
Employee Choir
Since music is part of the foundation of the Chickasaw lifestyle and because there are employees within the Chickasaw Nation who love to sing, especially in a choir setting, the arts and humanities division has established an employee choir.
The children’s choir director with the arts and humanities division also directs this adult choir.
Rehearsals are one evening a week in the gallery of the arts and humanities building in Ada.
Rehearsals are approximately 60 minutes in length.
Music learned is a combination of classical, Broadway, hymns, Choctaw hymns and original Chickasaw songs.
Those singers interested in joining may be asked to audition in order to determine vocal range. Audition may consist of singing scales or a well-known song such as “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”
Once singers commit to the choir, they are expected to attend all required rehearsals and scheduled performances.
Concerts are held twice a year, but the choir may sing at various special events throughout the year.
From the main choir, at the discretion of the choir director and dependent upon experience and talent, ensembles and small groups may possibly emerge.
Also, there may be special opportunities for singers who are unable to commit the time needed to be a full-time member of the choir to join.