Spirito! Singers Reboots and Re-engages for Exciting Virtual Fall

Last March, when school and organizations shut down due to the threat of Covid-19, Spirito! Singers very quickly switched to a virtual platform for the remainder of the season. And now, Spirito! is one of the first community choral organizations in the Chicagoland area to announce a virtual model for Fall 2020 programming, reimagining what communal music-making can look like in a time of social-distancing.

“We needed to do some soul searching about what ‘choir’ truly means,” states Mary Jean Adkins, Spirito! Executive Director. “Choral music is about much more than singing and performing.”

Spirito! Singers’ virtual curriculum builds on its legacy of musical excellence, and promises to be engaging, challenging, and fun.

“There are many important skills learned in choral rehearsals: teamwork, perseverance, empathy, creativity, critical thinking, along with – of course – healthy and beautiful singing,” says Carling FitzSimmons, Spirito! Artistic Director. “We can continue to foster these skills outside of rehearsals, by creating classes that will support the work we do as an ensemble. By learning more about other aspects of vocal music, our singers will be stronger than ever when we are able to sing together again.”

Spirito! is offering an exciting line up of Fall online classes for 5th – 12th grade girls, including Vocal Technique, which will strengthen solo performances and address technical issues unique to singing; Songwriting, which will provide a workshop-style setting to debut their original songs and receive feedback from other students and teachers; and Music Technology, which will allow students to create new works using online and software-based platforms – no other instruments necessary. Also offered in the curriculum are courses in conducting, advanced composition, and various levels of music theory classes plus a music history course and a theory course geared toward the Men of Spirito!

Spirito!’s mission is to inspire young women to leadership through music education, excellence, and service. By allowing singers to explore new sides of themselves through this curriculum, Spirito! is empowering them to seek out new challenges and opportunities.

“Our goal, by the end of this virtual semester, is for our girls and young women to be well-rounded, confident musicians,” says FitzSimmons. “We want our singers to know that their voices are valid not only as choral singers, but also as composers, conductors, soloists, and theorists. And I hope that the skills they learn in class will empower them to be leaders not only in rehearsals, but in their communities as well!”

Spirito! Fall Courses are available for not only current members of the choir but also non-members who would like to give Spirito! a try – NO AUDITION NECESSARY. You can learn more about the Spirito! Virtual Fall Course Catalog at www.spiritosingers.org and start the registration process by emailing Carling FitzSimmons at cfitzsimmons@spiritosingers.org Please put FALL CLASS INQUIRY in the subject line. Registration is open until August 15th and online classes begin on August 31st.

Spirito! Singers is a Chicagoland choir for 5th – 12th grade girls and young women. Spirito! Singers is proud to also include the Men of Spirito!, a performance ensemble for men ages 18+ that supports the Spirito! mission through excellence, service, and mentorship.

For information on the Spirito! 2020 Virtual Course Catalog visit www.Spiritosingers.org or email cfitzsimmons@spiritosingers.org