What do we Do?
Significant Research exists on the benefits of choir, including an increased feeling of togetherness and community, decreased stress levels and depression, and there are even studies that suggest increased life expectancy for individuals who participate in choir.
The primary aims of chorus are teaching music literacy, exposing students to a wide variety of musical genres from numerous eras and cultures throughout history, and understanding music through a cultural/historical context. Through student's musical journey, they will also gain significant experience learning to listen to music with an informed ear. They will learn skills that will also benefit them in their other classes and career pathways, including performing in front of peers, and in public, preparing presentations and solo performances, and working in group/team settings.
Chorus benefits students in other academic areas
Choir is considered a "Whole brain" activity: Performing and learning to read music in common rhythm with a group requires use of both mathematical and spatial skills, and music literacy in particular has been correlated with increased math ability (among other cross-curricular benefits)
in addition, studies suggest that students who consistently participate in chorus get better grades across all academic areas - meaning that chorus can be a benefit for students in numerous ways that extend far beyond the chorus classroom!