RFAS celebrates diversity of thought, experience, and culture.
27th ANNUAL CHORAL CELEBRATION
April 14 and 15, 2026
Meymandi Concert Hall
Applications are accepted from September 22-26, 2025
27th ANNUAL CHORAL CELEBRATION
April 14 and 15, 2026
Meymandi Concert Hall
Applications are accepted from September 22-26, 2025
OUR FOCUS
About The Choral Celebration
OUR HISTORY
In 1999, Raleigh Fine Arts Society began a new tradition: an annual Choral Celebration. The project offers elementary school choral groups in Wake County public, private, and charter schools an opportunity to share their music, as well as enjoy the musical achievements of other elementary school choruses in a non-competitive format.
The first performances were held at Martin Middle School and moved in 2001 to the newly built Meymandi Concert Hall, home of the North Carolina Symphony. Since its inception, the Choral Celebration’s visibility has grown significantly and achieved record attendance of more than 3,000 people.
Today we accept up to 18 elementary choral groups to participate, with each school performing two songs. Raleigh Fine Arts offers Choral Clinician advisory services to participating schools’ Choral Directors on performance techniques, as they prepare students for the March Celebration. In addition, a qualified Adjudicator will provide valuable, constructive reviews of schools’ performances during the Celebration.
North Raleigh Christian Academy with Lauren Simmons, Director and Tami Oden, Accompanist performed “Here Comes the Sun” – George Harrison, arr. Matt and Adam Podd, and “I Sing Because I’m Happy” – Rollo Dilworth. March 2024.
MOVING FORWARD
Applications will be available this September 22-26, 2025, on this website for Choral Teachers to use for applying.
Please check back soon for the application link.
Performances will be held on Tuesday, April 14, and Wednesday, April 15, 2026 (with a dress rehearsal on Monday, April 13, 2026) for all participating schools. Upon selection, your school will be assigned a performance night on either the 14th or 15th of April, so mark your calendar!
Our choral clinicians will work with each choir director of the selected schools in preparation for the Celebration and each director will receive valuable feedback from our adjudicator the night of your performance.
This is a musical celebration (not a competition) and we hope you will apply! Be on the lookout for a future notice regarding applications – available September 22 – 26, 2025. In the meantime, be inspired by clicking on videos and photos from prior Choral Celebrations, as well as this past year’s program.
We look forward to a magical Choral Celebration this coming April 2026!
Laura Ridgeway
Perri Anderson
Co-Chairs, Raleigh Fine Arts Society Choral Celebration
lmridgeway@gmail.com
perrior@icloud.com
About The Choral Celebration
OUR HISTORY
In 1999, Raleigh Fine Arts Society began a new tradition: an annual Choral Celebration. The project offers elementary school choral groups in Wake County public, private, and charter schools an opportunity to share their music, as well as enjoy the musical achievements of other elementary school choruses in a non-competitive format.
The first performances were held at Martin Middle School and moved in 2002 to the newly built Meymandi Concert Hall, home of the North Carolina Symphony. Since its inception, the Choral Celebration’s visibility has grown significantly and achieved record attendance of more than 3,000 people.
Today we accept up to 18 elementary choral groups to participate, with each school performing two songs. Raleigh Fine Arts offers Choral Clinician advisory services to participating schools’ Choral Directors on performance techniques, as they prepare students for the March Celebration. In addition, a qualified Adjudicator will provide valuable, constructive reviews of schools’ performances during the Celebration.
North Raleigh Christian Academy with Lauren Simmons, Director and Tami Oden, Accompanist performed “Here Comes the Sun” – George Harrison, arr. Matt and Adam Podd, and “I Sing Because I’m Happy” – Rollo Dilworth. March 2024.
MOVING FORWARD
Applications will be available this September 22-26, 2025, on this website for Choral Teachers to use for applying.
Please check back soon for the application link.
Performances will be held on Tuesday, April 14, and Wednesday, April 15, 2026 (with a dress rehearsal on Monday, April 13, 2026) for all participating schools. Upon selection, your school will be assigned a performance night on either the 14th or 15th of April, so mark your calendar!
Our choral clinicians will work with each choir director of the selected schools in preparation for the Celebration and each director will receive valuable feedback from our adjudicator the night of your performance.
This is a musical celebration (not a competition) and we hope you will apply! Be on the lookout for a future notice regarding applications – available September 22 – 26, 2025. In the meantime, be inspired by clicking on videos and photos from prior Choral Celebrations, as well as this past year’s program.
We look forward to a magical Choral Celebration this coming April 2026!
Laura Ridgeway
Perri Anderson
Co-Chairs, Raleigh Fine Arts Society Choral Celebration
lmridgeway@gmail.com
perrior@icloud.com
THE ARTS IN RALEIGH
2025 Photo Gallery
TESTIMONIAL
Our Impact
TESTIMONIAL
Our Impact
PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS
Featured Performances
Oak Grove Elementary
Students perform “Stars”, one of the traditional massed songs from the Choral Celebration.
Parkside Elementary
Students rehearsing a performance piece with their teacher, Kim Demery, and Clinician Robert Unger. Ms. Demery highlights the benefits all children and schools experience through their participation in this annual celebration of elementary school choral groups.
Robert Unger, Clinician
Robert discusses his role with participating schools as well as the uniqueness of the program and the opportunities it provides choral groups in Wake County.
PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS
Featured Performances
Oak Grove Elementary
Students perform “Stars”, one of the traditional massed songs from the Choral Celebration.
Parkside Elementary
Students rehearsing a performance piece with their teacher, Kim Demery, and Clinician Robert Unger. Ms. Demery highlights the benefits all children and schools experience through their participation in this annual celebration of elementary school choral groups.
Robert Unger, Clinician
Robert discusses his role with participating schools as well as the uniqueness of the program and the opportunities it provides choral groups in Wake County.
MORE PERFORMANCES
Virtual Voices
Please enjoy the music these elementary schools made as they prepared for past Choral Celebrations.
Baucom Elementary
Performing “Circle of Our Song” and “On Silver Tipped Wings“. Mrs. Michelle Seaboch is their Music Teacher. Their Choral Celebration Clinician is Jane Bruer.
Abbotts Creek Elementary
Students have fun warming up before visit from Clinician, Bob Unger in preparation for their rehearsal with their Director, Susan Reynolds. Click on their photo below to listen.
North Raleigh Christian Academy
Hear North Raleigh Christian Academy rehearsing “Build Me a World” by Ginger Littleton for Clinician Marshall Butler. The children are directed by Lisa Pennington Bass and accompanied by Laurel Walter.
Douglas Elementary Magnet School
Students rehearse “The Beautiful Rain”. Susan Zelasky, Director with Accompanist, Marty Long.
MORE PERFORMANCES
Virtual Voices
Please enjoy the music these elementary schools made as they prepared for past Choral Celebrations.
Baucom Elementary
Performing “Circle of Our Song” and “On Silver Tipped Wings“. Mrs. Michelle Seaboch is their Music Teacher. Their Choral Celebration Clinician is Jane Bruer.
Abbotts Creek Elementary
Students have fun warming up before visit from Clinician, Bob Unger in preparation for their rehearsal with their Director, Susan Reynolds. Click on their photo below to listen.
North Raleigh Christian Academy
Hear North Raleigh Christian Academy rehearsing “Build Me a World” by Ginger Littleton for Clinician Marshall Butler. The children are directed by Lisa Pennington Bass and accompanied by Laurel Walter.
Douglas Elementary Magnet School
Students rehearse “The Beautiful Rain”. Susan Zelasky, Director with Accompanist, Marty Long.