Children's Choir

Up until the 2010/11 academic year, the Course dedicated to children's voices was held in collaboration with Teatro alla Scala, as the Children's Choir of Teatro alla Scala and the G. Verdi Conservatory, by virtue of an agreement between the two institutions. Since then, the Choir has been managed entirely by the Conservatory, which has maintained the Children's Choir Course. This choice was aimed at promoting choral singing as an expression of musical education for children: choral activity represents an essential educational resource for children aged 7 to 12.

The greatest composers have written for boys' choirs: the tradition linked to Pueri cantores and Scholae Cantorum in Italy; the tradition of Kinderchor and Knabenchor, present especially in German-speaking countries; the attention towards children's music in Eastern European countries bear witness to this.

Approaching music through vocal and choral experiences represents the best way to introduce children and young people to the world of sounds: the experience of our work over these years confirms the enthusiasm with which the young people apply themselves, finding joy in singing together.

The choir currently consists of approximately fifty members, divided between a preparatory course (the duration of which varies depending on the child's age and vocal abilities; during which pupils learn the principles of vocal technique and musical reading) and the actual choir. The formation of the classes places respect for the child's personality at the centre of the educational process. The responsibility for this path is entrusted to individuals of great competence and moral rigour: fundamental qualities for teaching, particularly during childhood. Once the preparatory phase is completed, children are admitted to the choir where they experience that marvellous artistic world represented by compositions dedicated to young voices.

The Children's Choir participates in events both inside and outside the Conservatory.

Regarding internal initiatives, one of the most important moments is represented by events organised to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, during which the choir performs music by composers of Jewish origin or arrangements written specifically for the occasion based on traditional Jewish melodies.
Regarding other events organised within the Conservatory, the choir has participated for years in the U.S.C.I. and I.C.M. festivals, dedicated to choirs and school/youth ensembles. It also takes part in concerts organised as part of the Conservatory's music festivals. In recent years, the choir has also been invited to perform outside the Conservatory context, confirming the success of the project and the level achieved.

The repertoire featured in the concerts is predominantly classical and ranges from sacred to secular music, from folk music to that dedicated to children's choirs.

Nonetheless, the Choir has also dedicated itself to operatic repertoire.

The preparation and direction of the Children's Choir are entrusted to Maestro Edoardo Cazzaniga, teacher of Choral Exercises.

From the academic year 2023/2024, the activities of the Children's Choir will be held in memory of Andrea Spataro.