Children’s Choir Essentials: Curriculum, Vocal Technique, and Repertoire
Date
July 6-July 31, 2026
Online
TBD based on participant availability
Course Code
8236B
Credits
2
Tuition
$796
Course Description
This course focuses on the development of effective pedagogical practices for beginning-level children’s choirs. Through a series of applied projects and a few excellent readings, students will design a comprehensive and workable children’s choir curriculum tailored either to their own teaching context or to a representative beginning ensemble. Emphasis is placed on age-appropriate vocal development, sequential skill building, and repertoire selection.
Students will research, develop, and compile targeted vocal exercises and rehearsal techniques appropriate for specific ages and grade levels, with attention to healthy vocal production, musicianship, and ensemble skills. In addition, students will curate a body of repertoire suitable for beginning children’s choirs and analyze each selection to identify musical, vocal, and cultural learning outcomes. Instructional strategies will be articulated to demonstrate how these skills can be effectively taught through rehearsal and performance.
By the end of the course, students will have created a practical, adaptable framework for leading a beginning children’s choir, grounded in pedagogical best practices and aligned with the developmental needs of young singers.
Instructor
A native of Indiana, Leslie Manfredo received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Indiana University
and Master’s degrees in Music Education and Educational Organization and Leadership (EOL) from the
University of Illinois. Retired from full-time teaching in June of 2017, Leslie served as the Assistant Director of
Choral Activities at Illinois State University for 5 years and as an Adjunct Professor of choral and general music
classes at both the graduate and undergraduate levels at Roosevelt University and Vandercook College of
Music in Chicago since her retirement. Previous to her tenure at ISU, she taught public school vocal music for
23 years at all levels in several districts in Illinois. In addition, she has directed choirs at the elementary, junior
high, senior high, college and adult levels in both school and non-school settings. She also served as a full-time
Church Music Director for St. Mary Cathedral in West Lafayette, IN and the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana for
7 years. Leslie was a National Board-Certified teacher (EAYA Music) and holds Illinois licensure in General
Administration as well as teaching.
Leslie has served as a festival guest conductor, contest adjudicator, and choral clinician; has published articles
for the State Music Education Journal; and has presented many sessions at the Illinois Music Education
Conference (IMEC). She was honored to receive the Mary Hoffman Award of Excellence in 2017 from the
Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA). Over the years, Leslie’s choirs were invited to participate in
numerous special performances. Leslie served as Treasurer for both the ACDA Midwestern Region and for the
Illinois Chapter of ACDA and as an ILMEA District 3 Rep.
Leslie recently served as an Associate Conductor of the National Children’s Chorus in Chicago from 2024-2025,
directing the Prelude/Minuet Chorus. She sings in the Apollo Chorus of Chicago and serves on the Board of
Directors as the Musicianship Chair. Leslie also serves as a cantor and choir member at Old St. Mary’s Parish in
the South Loop.