Our Vision
Anima Singers inspires future leaders through global education and musical excellence.
Our Mission
Anima Singers empowers young singers to discover their own potential by pursuing personal and collective excellence through song.
Our Values
WE EDUCATE
Young people develop their musicianship skills through the study of diverse and relevant repertoire, leading to a broader understanding of music and the world around us.
WE CULTIVATE
An environment where singers are open-minded, empathetic, and resilient as they work together to achieve excellence in performance, leadership, service, and community.
WE CELEBRATE
Authenticity and belonging – all are welcome.
Benefits of Singing Together
Singing together does more than bring joy. It has the power to help children socially, emotionally, and academically.
Studies show that children who participate in choir have higher self-confidence (not just in their ability to sing but across the board), get better grades, and exhibit creativity and a strong sense self-esteem.
In a chorus, many voices come together to create one unique, fabulous sound. When children have to work together to create a unified sound that is wonderful, they use a range of interpersonal skills without even knowing it. Interpersonal skills, community building, and social emotional learning are intrinsic to community-based music making.
Singing in a chorus also enables children to better understand themselves and the world around them. When singers learn music from around the world, they are not only learning how to sing in a different language or different forms of music-making. They are also learning about cultures and histories that are different than their own. When Anima’s most advanced singers participate in tours either nationally or internationally, they are exposed to other people through the unifying power of music. And when singers perform with world-class professional organizations, they are exposed to professionalism that they will translate to their future careers.
Contributing to the Community
Anima Singers is one of many options for students to expand their horizons outside of the academic school day. We believe singers should be able to sing with us while also participating in other activities that pique their interest and round out the whole person.
We also encourage our singers to participate in the many strong curricular and extra-curricular musical offerings in their own schools. Rising tides lifts all boats: A singer participating in Anima and at their school elevates both programs, as that singer is finding their voice and being exposed to music in multiple communities and through multiple voices.
Anima Singers is committed to bringing the power of music to the greater DuPage County community. Whether it’s caroling in downtown Glen Ellyn and Wheaton, bringing joy to a local retirement community, or serving at Northern Illinois Food Bank, Anima is here to raise everybody’s spirits through the unifying power of song.