Salt Lake Children's Choir

The Salt Lake Children's Choir was founded in 1979 by Director Ralph B. Woodward whose minimalist directing style and gentle teaching produces a remarkably rich and beautiful sound. The choir has long been regarded as one of the finest ensembles of its kind in the nation. A prize winner in international competition, the choir has performed with Frederica von Stade, Marvin Hamlisch, Kurt Bestor and with The Tabernacle Choir. The choir traditionally perform at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City during the Christmas season and in the spring. Audiences are transported by the sound the young people create, and often it is standing room only at these events.

Ralph B. Woodward grew up in a home filled with music. His father was the premier choral director Ralph Woodward who brought BYU's choral program to preeminence. His mother, Margaret taught at BYU and filled the home with her rich solo voice as she helped shape and enrich the voices of her vocal students. The younger Ralph absorbed these sounds and skills naturally and after playing the French horn for years, turned to the most portable of musical instruments, the voice. Ralph is an accomplished singer, composer and authority on the care and development of the young voice. He works his magic with these young singers and is supported by a fine SLCC Board and a group of parent boosters

The concert "At Springtime" is free to the public and will include a lively English madrigal, songs from Scotland, the sacred music of Handel, Mendelssohn and Bizet. The Neapolitan favorite "O Sole Mio" as well as the ever-charming "Vienna, City of My Dreams" will be sung. Also presented will be a beautiful song from Ukraine, given to the choir by a dear Ukrainian friend. Additionally, "When It's Springtime in the Rockies", "America the Beautiful and Albert Malotte's stirring setting of "The Lord's Prayer" will be heard. The program will conclude with the choir's traditional favorite, "A Day in Spring" composed by the choir's director, Ralph B. Woodward.