Prague Philharmonic Children’s Choir
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nteresting Facts:
About the Philharmonic The Prague Philharmonic Children’s Choir was founded in 1932. The choir is considered to be a unique musical institution due to its extensive artistic range. Many of the choir’s most talented children have become famous musicians. The Prague Philharmonic Children’s Choir contains over 900 children who are divided into three divisions – Kühňátka (in translation “little Kühn kids”), Preparatory, and Concert. It can be said that the choir functions as a school of choral singing. • In the Kühňátka choir, preschool children as young as age 4 participate. These children learn basic singing skills and habits. The goal is for the children to develop their love of music and become excited about singing in a choir. Children rehearse once per week. • In the Preparatory choir, somewhat older children learn additional basic singing and musical skills and habits such as posture, intonation, and how to react to the conductor. The goal is for children to gain self-confidence as a result of performances in concerts and operas. Children rehearse twice per week. • In the Concert choir, children ranging from ages 9 to 20 with evident musical and singing talent learn the basics of music theory and perfect their singing technique. This is the most demanding choir division with rehearsals three times per week. Children in this choir perform dozens of times at home in Prague and on tour in other countries. The choir has performed on almost all of the continents around the world. In addition to weekly rehearsals during the performance season, children also attend Summer School during the month of August each year in order to prepare for the upcoming season. The goal is for children to develop friendships while learning the basics of music theory, singing, playing sports, competing in games, creating works of art, and taking trips to the countryside.
Interesting Facts The distance from Tallahassee, Florida, to Prague, Czech Republic, is 4,990 miles or 8,030 kilometers. While elementary school in Florida is generally kindergarten through 5th grade over six years, elementary school in Prague is for children in grades 1 through 9 over nine years. The elementary schools in Prague are divided into two stages – a primary stage for grades 1 through 5 and a lower secondary stage for grades 6 through 9. During the 5th and 7th year of elementary school, children may apply to attend a gymnasium, which is a school focused on a particular area of study, or a conservatory, which is focused on a performing art such as dance. After completing elementary school, children continue their education at a secondary school.
Pertinent Vocabulary Terms musician - someone who performs or writes music conductor - someone who directs the musicians of an orchestra or other musical group director - someone who is in charge of getting a program ready for a performance composer - someone who writes music, singer - a person who sings instrumentalist someone who plays a musical instrument
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