Inclusive Music
Phoenix Children’s Chorus launches Tutti Program to create opportunities for all kids.
By Naya Seth
Photo courtesy of Phoenix Children’s Chorus
The Tutti program at Phoenix Children’s Chorus (PCC) is opening doors and creating opportunities for kids of all ages! This program was created for children both with and without disabilities, allowing them to learn at speeds specific to their individual needs.
The idea for this branch of PCC arose a few years ago, but due to COVID-19, it was postponed until recently. The director of Tutti, Anne Coryell, has four children, three of whom participate in the Phoenix Children’s Chorus. However, one of her children has Down Syndrome, which left him unable to join PCC’s traditional choir. Anne pitched the idea for Tutti in 2020, and it finally became a reality last year.
The Tutti program is tailored to allow for flexibility and variation for each child’s abilities. Depending on the age and needs of the child, Anne has developed different activities to keep kids engaged and learning, as sitting for long periods can be hard. For example, for younger kids, she has developed a game with beanie babies to help practice a steady beat. She also aims to make transitions direct and simple for the kids, with clear switches from each voice or music activity to the next, which help distinguish these ensembles from a standard choir.
There are two Tutti ensembles, split by age. One includes children in second through sixth grade, while the other includes children in seventh through 12th grade.
During each choir practice, the children are taught a welcome song to help warm up their voices, as well as some music to work on pitch. Another song that the students work on during their time with Tutti is the national anthem, which they will be performing at a Cardinals game in October. Additionally, as winter approaches, they will start to learn some holiday music.
Benefits come for kids of all ages who join this choir, both musically and personally. Not only will Tutti help children gain more musical experience and become better musicians, but the program will also help them grow into more well-rounded people, by creating understanding between kids with and without disabilities. The main message that Anne wants to send is that Tutti is for everyone; it’s a place to build relationships, meet new people, and form a community. She points out that the word Tutti means “all voices together.”
Tutti is not audition-based, which sets it apart from other choirs. Meetings are held Wednesday evenings at Madison No. 1 Middle School, located at 5525 N. 16th St., in Phoenix, starting on Sept. 4. To help out, parents can volunteer backstage to assist the kids before performances.
For more information, visit phoenixchildrenschorus.org/tutti.
