Cantate Children's and Youth Choir January Auditions

Cantate Children’s and Youth Choir of Central Virginia invites children and teens who love to sing to join us for the Spring 2026 semester! No prior singing experience is required—students receive age-appropriate, professional vocal training in a supportive and encouraging environment. Cantate welcomes singers from second grade through high school. The spring semester begins January 28, 2026. Rehearsals are held primarily on Mondays from 4:15–6:15 pm, with younger children dismissed slightly earlier.

Simple, informal auditions will be held by appointment on January 12, 13, and 14, from 2:00–5:00 pm, or at another mutually convenient time in January. The spring semester will culminate in a concert on Sunday, May 3 at 4:00 pm.

Cantate is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing exceptional musical experiences and healthy vocal training for the children and youth of Central Virginia. Now in its thirty-third season, Cantate actively contributes to the cultural life of the region and is headquartered at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 205 Elmwood Avenue, Lynchburg, Virginia. Each chorister receives instruction in proper vocal production, note reading, and singing in parts, building musical excellence, confidence, and lifelong skills.

Peggy Haas Howell serves as Music Director and Conductor, with Elizabeth Wilkinson as Assistant Director and Accompanist. Called a “play-anything virtuoso” by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ms. Howell is a consummate organist who has given recitals throughout America and Europe. In addition to serving as Organist and Choirmaster at St. John’s Episcopal Church, she is the National Vice President and Councillor for Competitions and New Music for the American Guild of Organists. Ms. Howell earned a Bachelor of Arts in Church Music from Susquehanna University and a Master of Sacred Music from Union Theological Seminary. She has served as Director of Cantate since 2009. Under her leadership, Cantate has collaborated with Opera on the James, the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, the Charlottesville Ballet, the University of Lynchburg Choral Union, the Jefferson Choral Society, the University of Virginia Chamber Singers, and St. John’s Episcopal Church Parish Choir, among others. Cantate has also presented special performances for The Woman’s Club of Lynchburg.

Ms. Howell previously founded and directed the Jefferson Youth Chorale from 2003–2012 and served as Director of Chorale, the Concert Choir of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, from 1996–2000.

To schedule an audition, please email Julie Strickland at [email protected]

Additional information is available at cantatechoir.org, including a link to Cantate’s YouTube channel where recent performances may be viewed.

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