National Lutheran Children’s Choir
Sing with purpose.
The National Lutheran Children’s Choir program is for singers ages 7-14*, where sacred music becomes the vehicle for vocal development, ensemble skills and music literacy. This is a place where young singers enjoy meaningful music making experiences and create lasting friendships.
*Participants must be age 7 on or before September 10th, 2026.
We make music together to teach skills, build community, and have fun!
The Children’s Choir Experience
Children come to us with a wide range of musical backgrounds. We use sacred choral music because it offers a rich and structured foundation for musical development.
No prior experience is required. We meet them where they are and help them grow.
In this program, your child will:
Develop healthy, confident singing habits
Build music-reading skills over time
Strengthen listening and ensemble awareness
Experience meaningful, expressive repertoire
A Typical Rehearsal
Rehearsals take place Sunday evenings from 4:30 to 6:00pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Paul
Rehearsals are thoughtfully paced and designed for young singers.
Each week includes:
Group singing
Guided practice in reading music
Playful activities that foster community and reinforce musical skills
Students are supported in a focused, encouraging environment where they are challenged appropriately and given the tools to succeed.
Performances & Musical Experiences
Throughout the year, singers participate in performances that demonstrate their growth and connect them to a broader musical community.
Our 2026-2027 performing season includes:
September 13, 2026 – First rehearsal for Fall 2026 enrollment period
Nov 7, 2026 – Children & Youth Choral Festival, featuring clinicians Dr. Angela Kasper & Dr. Jennaya Robison
Dec 6, 2026 – Children’s choir program winter performance
January 10, 2027 – First rehearsal for Spring 2027 enrollment period
Apr 18, 2027 – Children’s choir program spring performance
April 30 and May 1, 2027 – With the National Lutheran Choir
Additional opportunities to sing with the National Lutheran Choir may be available and will be announced at a future date.
Learning Beyond Rehearsal
Connecting Music to the World Around Us
Each semester, singers participate in a service-based project, providing the opportunity for singers to give back to their community.
Through this work, students:
Develop awareness of others and the needs of their communities
Begin to draw connections between their artistic work and the world around them
Build confidence and leadership within a group setting
Artistic Leadership
Emily Bird
Emily Bird is a choral educator and conductor with a Master of Sacred Music in vocal performance from the University of Notre Dame and a background directing children’s choirs across Canada and the United States.
Erin Gaffaney
Erin serves as Director of Education & Outreach for the National Lutheran Choir. She is a veteran public school music educator and church musician and holds a Master of Music Education from the University of Illinois.
Jennaya Robison
In addition to her work with the National Lutheran Choir, Jennaya has taught in public schools in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, as well as in higher education. Dr. Robison brings 30+ years of experience as a church musician, working with adults, youth, and children. She was the co-founder of Scottsdale Musical Arts, where she conducted the Scottsdale Children’s Choir in Scottsdale, Arizona, and she was an artistic director of Decorah Youth Choirs in Decorah, Iowa.
Tuition & Enrollment
Enrollment Periods
Enrollment periods for the 2026-2027 season are:
For Fall semester: April 22 - September 30, 2026
For Spring semester: December 7 - February 2, 2027
The program is open to singers ages 7-14*. No prior singing experience is needed, though we do require all participants to complete a vocal assessment. Vocal assessments will take place prior to and during enrollment periods.
*Participants must turn age 7 on or before September 10th, 2026.
Tuition
Tuition is $500 for the full season (September - May)
Payment plans and need-based financial aid is available.
Tuition Includes:
Weekly instruction with experienced choral educators
Sequential skill development in singing and music reading
Sheet music and supplies
Performance opportunities, including collaborations with a professional-level ensemble
Vocal Assessments
All singers participate in a brief, low-pressure assessment with our artistic staff prior to joining.
This is not an audition. Instead, it helps us understand how each child currently engages with music so we can support their growth effectively.
A typical assessment may include:
Singing a short, familiar song (for example, “Happy Birthday”)
Echoing simple melodic and rhythmic patterns
There is nothing to prepare, and the environment is intentionally relaxed and encouraging.
Registration & Vocal Assessment Fee
A $25 fee is required to reserve your child’s vocal assessment. This fee will be credited toward 2026–2027 tuition if your child enrolls. If your child chooses not to participate, the fee will be refunded. No refunds will be issued for missed (no-show) appointments.
Note: If you are planning to sign up multiple children from the same household, you can register up to 3 children per form. The first child's vocal assessment fee is $25, and each additional child's fee is $10.
About the National Lutheran Choir
The National Lutheran Choir celebrates, invigorates, and expands sacred choral music, bringing inspiration and meaning to people of diverse faiths and backgrounds.
Founded in 1986 by Larry Fleming and grown under the direction of David Cherwien from 2002-2023, and now led by Jennaya Robison, the National Lutheran Choir sings a spiritual story through diverse repertoire including selections from early chant and simple folk anthems to complex choral masterworks and new compositions.
Now in its 40th year, the National Lutheran Choir features a roster of more than 70 volunteer singers.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Absolutely, yes. The NLCC is rooted in the Lutheran choral tradition, but the program is open to children of all backgrounds and faith traditions.
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Singers who will be 7-14 years old on or before September 10, 2026 are eligible to participate in the National Children’s Choir program.
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Each family can expect to spend 30 minutes at their scheduled vocal assessment time. Each 30 minute slot will be broken up into segments during which children are singing, and families will spend time hearing from Ms. Bird and Ms. Gaffaney about the National Lutheran Children’s Choir program. Families will also have an opportunity to ask questions.
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We strive to make the National Lutheran Children's Choir a positive and engaging environment for every participant. No child will be turned away due to lack of singing experience.
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Yes, on a case-by-case basis. Ideally, singers are part of the choir for the full season. Tuition is prorated based on the length of time enrolled.
For example: Fall semester only = $250 or Spring semester only = $250 -
That is up to you. Some parents choose to stick around, as there is space to comfortably sit and work in a quiet setting. Others choose to drop off their children and return in time for pick-up at the end of rehearsal.
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If your child is enrolled, attendance at all performances is expected. An attendance policy will be shared related to rehearsals at the time of the scheduled vocal assessment.
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While rehearsing together weekly provides consistency, a lot of time passes between each Sunday. We encourage our singers to spend a total of 30-60 minutes each week looking at and listening to their music. Singers take their music home with them, and they will have access to recordings of music - which can be an especially great tool for singers who learn best by listening.
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Financial aid is available for singers who demonstrate need, and on a first-come, first-serve basis. To complete the application process, please send an email to us at erin@nlca.com and we will follow up with a simple form for you to complete. We are fortunate to be able to provide this option in order to remove barriers to participation.
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YES! Discounts are offered to families with multiple children enrolled in the National Lutheran Children’s Choir program.
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NLC Education & Outreach uses a web-based platform called CourseStorm to register participants for our programs. Any class that costs more than $75 offers individuals the option to either pay in full at the time of enrollment, or to set up an automated payment plan. Payment plans can be spread out from September through the end of April, with the flexibility to pay off the remaining balance at any time. There is no discount for paying in full up front.
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No.
Have Questions?
Hi, my name is Erin Gaffaney, and I’m the Director of Education and Outreach!
If you have questions about our Children’s Choir Program, I’d love to talk with you! Please complete the contact form below and I’ll be in touch.
