This fall, Southgate Community Schools launched their Zero Hour Choir program for third and fourth graders, giving students the opportunity to get involved with choir before starting middle school, when it’s typically offered.

The program is modeled after the success of the Zero Hour Band for fifth-grade students, which was launched last year and buses fifth graders to the high school at “zero hour” before the regular school day starts.

“This year, to make sure that kids got to experience both band and choir before they went to middle and high school, we thought it would be a good idea to give the third and fourth graders the opportunity to join a choir,” said elementary music teacher Natasha Zahor.

All five elementary schools have the opportunity to participate in choir, with Zahor directing the Fordline and Allen choirs, and music teacher Anthony Richendollar leading Northpointe, Grogan and Shelters.

Together, the program has already drawn an impressive 85 students, with more expected to join after the new year.

The students’ first performance, the Veterans Day Concert, will be held at Davidson Middle School on Wednesday, November 12 at 6 p.m.

Zahor said that her choirs have been learning vocal technique and music notation and will be singing in both unison and two-part harmony for the concert.

The concert will begin with all 85 students on stage to sing the “Star-Spangled Banner” before breaking off into individual choir performances, where each school’s choir will perform a piece dedicated to one of the five branches of the United States military, followed by a mix of patriotic and reflective songs.

Among the selections are a special rendition of “America the Beautiful”, which will be performed as a partner song with two melodies being sung simultaneously, and “Thank You, Soldiers”, a song sung in unison thanking soldiers for their bravery.

Not only is the elementary choir program an opportunity to introduce kids to music, but it also aids in rebuilding the prevalence of choirs in middle and high schools.

While many district’s band programs have remained strong, special choral instruction has become less common, especially after the pandemic. This program will hopefully give students with a desire to sing the experience and support to pursue choir as they continue their schooling.

“Choir is a great way to build synergy with other kids,” Zahor said. “It doesn’t require families to rent or buy an instrument because your body is your instrument. Anyone can learn to sing or at least get better than they were.”

The elementary choir program is a space for kids to build confidence, community and skill, giving them an additional outlet for creativity. For the district, it also provides a stronger foundation for the longevity of its music programs.

“I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve as one of the choir directors for our third and fourth graders, and I’m looking forward to our first concert,” Richendollar said.