Austin Children's Choir

The Austin Children’s Choir was founded in 1986 by Dr. Bernard Gastler and Concordia University as a gift to the community.  The choir provides 1st through 12th grade boys and girls from the Austin area with a refined choral music experience and enriches the Austin music scene with the unique spectrum of sound that only a children’s choir can produce.  

The Choir, which currently has an enrollment of 150 singers from 35 area schools, is organized into four singing groups based on a chorister’s grade in school as well as his or her musicianship level: the Training Choir consists of primarily Kindergartners through second-graders; students in the third and fourth grades comprise the Intermediate Choir; and students in the fifth through eighth grades are members of the Advanced Choir. The Chamber Singers consist of advanced middle school and high school students.

The Choir has three campuses throughout Austin and Round Rock which each host one rehearsal session every week.  The Choir performs three large-format concerts every year – annually during the Fall, Holiday and Spring seasons.  Select members of the choir are also invited to perform at weddings, benefit events, children’s festivals and productions with other community arts groups throughout the year.  

Every summer the Choir makes special appearances throughout Texas and the United States while on tour.  In addition, the Choir sponsors a summer camp that is open to the community.  Any child, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or national origin, is eligible to audition for and join the Choir. 

The Choir is committed to providing every child the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the joys of music.  That is why full and partial scholarships are available for all Choir members and all Choir activities.

 The Choir will open a new campus in East Austin this Fall.  A new mixed-choir format for older choristers will also be introduced over the next year.

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