OVERVIEW:

History and Performances

CCM founder, Dr. Betty Bertaux
Education Director and Founder, Dr. Betty Bertaux
Founded in 1976 by distinguished music educator and composer Dr. Betty Bertaux, Children's Chorus of Maryland and School of Music (CCM) is one of the oldest and most distinguished programs of vocal literacy training and choral music education in the United States. For many years, CCM was one of very few choral music education programs in the country which offered separate musicianship training classes in addition to chorus rehearsals, and which met twice per week as recommended by experts in the field of music education. Several other children’s choral music education groups have now styled their musicianship training classes after those of CCM.

CCM began with a core group of six children who met in a private home. Betty Bertaux's goal was to provide children with exemplary vocal music education and with performance opportunities equal to the children’s musical accomplishments and to the organization's music curriculum standards. After a period of absence, Dr. Bertaux returned to CCM in 1999. Beginning in 2006, she stepped over to focus on CCM's Education Program. Currently, Dr. Alyson Shirk serves as Artistic Director.

The CCM Method, developed by Betty Bertaux in the 1970’s, accelerates children’s music learning, ear training, sight singing skills, and music literacy (the ability to read and write music). Using fun activities and musical games, the combination of Kodaly Method and Gordon Music Learning Theory uses the voice as the music instrument. The result has been proven to quickly and easily bring children to very high levels of musicianship and music literacy in a joyful manner. While CCM children just think they are playing a game and having fun, they are actually learning advanced music literacy skills, using their own voice as the musical instrument. In fact, by the time even a young child has completed 3-4 years in CCM, they can pick up a piece of music and sing it, without anyone playing it for them on a piano!

CCM has won top honors, competing with as many as 210 choirs from around the country and as the featured choir at Carnegie Hall. Performing by invitation at the White House, the Kennedy Center, music educator conferences, and many other exciting venues around the country, CCM choirs regularly enjoy standing ovations from audiences of laypeople and music professionals alike.

CCM choirs have also performed in Canada, Europe (Prague, Vienna, Salzburg), in Hawaii and at Disneyland. CCM will appear as artist-in-residence and guest artists for 2 different symposiums in Hungary in 2013.

Venues and collaborators

CCM choirs regularly perform in world-class venues and often partners on collaborative performances with reknowned professional artists and institutions. Past performances include tours and festivals in Nova Scotia and Banff, Canada, as well as Hawaii, Disney World, Vienna, Salzburg and Prague.

Examples of CCM performance venues and partners include:

ABOUT CCM

Overview

Board and Staff

Partners and Sponsors
SUPPORT OUR PROGRAMS

Make a difference in the artistic lives of children in your community by keeping programs like CCM going.

CCM is a qualified charity, a 501.c.3 tax exempt Maryland corporation.

Accepted Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, echeck, PayPal
A PayPal™ account is not required to complete your donation.

WANT TO DO MORE?
Let's Talk!

Call us at (410) 494-1480.
The CCM office is open Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM.

Or Write To Us:

CCM
100 East Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 202,
Towson, Maryland 21286

PEOPLE ARE SAYING...
The difference with Children’s Chorus of Maryland is the training is much more intensive and focused. I think it requires a lot of discipline on the part of the children, but it also fosters that discipline.
CCM Parent

Read more testimonials