What is NTCC
The North Texas Children’s Choir, formerly the Metroplex Children’s Choir, began in 1995 as a simple dream. The dream was for elementary-aged childen to have an enriching experience outside the traditional choral music classroom. Throughout the years, over 5,500 children have taken part in this audition process and festival concert. It provides children with a challenge and a chance to grow musically, socially as they meet new friends, and emotionally as hearing older choirs/ensembles helps to visualize their future in music.
Our children come from 20 different schools throughout the North Texas area. Each school may bring up to 12 auditioned singers. All singers are auditioned on the same music and technical skills by their choir teachers. Singers have weekly rehearsals with their teachers after school, then three area rehearsals, and finally the first rehearsal as a complete choir the day before the performance with the guest conductor..
The first rehearsal as a full choir is at the Charles Eisemann Center for Performing Arts in Richardson, Texas on the Friday before the Saturday performance. The final rehearsal and performance are held the following day at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas.
NTCC is NOT affiliated with any school. This is an after school program offered through NT Choirs working jointly with the music teachers in the schools. The teachers are offering their time as volunteers to make this a truly remarkable experience for all the children
Unfortunately, our 25th anniversary, NTCC 2020/2021 has been cancelled due to Covid-19
Our 25th Anniversary has been deferred to the 2021/2022 Season!
Our Guest Conductors
1997-1999: Henry Leck of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir
Mr. Leck conducted our first three years of Metroplex Children’s Choir. Mr. Leck also helped establish our vision and played the role of Mentor in our early years. His love for music of the world helped build a foundation of similar music with our choir.
2000-2001: Ruth Dwyer of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir
Mrs. Dwyer has conducted our choir on two separate occasions for two years each time. Mrs. Dwyer brought her passion for teaching and love of music to our children and our Teacher/Conductors. Ruth Dwyer was the guest conductor 2017 and NTCC has the honor of her conducting again in 2018.
2002-2004: Cynthia Knott of the Greater Dallas Children’s Chorus
Mrs. Knott conducted our choir for three years and introduced to us her love for American music and composers.
2005-2006: Alyssa Coble of the Georgia Children’s Choir
Mrs. Coble brought an incredibly sweet and tender sound to our choir as she worked with the singers.
2007-2008: Ruth Dwyer of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir
Mrs. Dwyer has conducted our choir on two separate occasions for two years each time. Mrs. Dwyer brought her passion for teaching and love of music to our children and our Teacher/Conductors. Ruth Dwyer was the guest conductor 2017 and NTCC has the honor of her conducting again in 2018
2009-2011: Mark Bartel of Friends University and the Wichita Children’s Choir
Dr. Bartel was theour conductor for years 13-15.. Dr. Bartel brought his love of music, children, and great choral conducting. He inspired us with his conducting style and his ability to communicate with our choir.
2012-2013: Dr. Lynn Gackel of Baylor University
Dr. Gackel conducted the North Texas Children’s Choir for the 2012 and 2013 concerts. Dr. Gackle inspired not only our children, but our teachers as well. Her teaching is superb and her kindness came from her heart. We will look forward to working with Dr. Gackle again!
2014-2015: Dr. Julie Yu, co-chair of the choral department at Kansas State University
Dr. Yu was our guest conductor for our 2014, 2015, and 2016 concerts. Dr. Yu brings energy, excitement, and a love for choral music to our concerts!
2016-2017: Ruth Dwyer of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir
Mrs. Dwyer has conducted our choir for multiple years. Mrs. Dwyer brought her passion for teaching and love of music to our children and our Teacher/Conductors.
2017-2018: Dr. Rollo Dilworth
Associate Professor of Choral Music Education at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music in Philadelphia, PA. In addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in choral music education, he conducts the University Chorale.
2018-2019: Dr. Julie Yu, co-chair of the choral department at Kansas State University
Dr. Yu was our guest conductor for our 2014, 2015, and 2016 concerts. Dr. Yu brings energy, excitement, and a love for choral music to our concerts!
2019-2020: Ruth Dwyer of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir
Mrs. Dwyer has conducted our choir on multiple occasions. Mrs. Dwyer brought her passion for teaching and love of music to our children and our Teacher/Conductors.
2022-2023: Dr. Julie Yu, co-chair of the choral department at Kansas State University
Dr. Yu was our guest conductor for our 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2019 concerts. Dr. Yu brings energy, excitement, and a love for choral music to our concerts!
Our Prelude Choirs
1998-2003: Denton High School Chorale, Ann Smith conducting
2011: Decatur High School and Liberty Chorale, Jason Sneed and Ann Smith conducting
2012: Woodrow Wilson Elementary TMEA Honor Choir, Cecile Johnson conducting
2013: UNT University Singers with Dr. Richard Sparks conducting
2014: Harpool Middle School Nathan Dame Honor Choir
2015: Baylor University Bella Voce with Dr Lynne Gackle conducting
2016: The Kansas State Collegiate Chorale with Dr. Julie Yu conducting
2017: Plano East Varsity Men’s Choir with Danny Knight conducting
2018: Northeastern State University Choir
2019: Northwest High School
2020: The Northeastern Sate University Singers directed by Dr. Jeffery Wall
2022: The Kansas State Collegiate Chorale with Dr. Julie Yu conducting
2021/2022 NTCC Music Teachers/Directors
Sarah Riordan, Andrews Elementary
Kristina Morrow, Hightower Elementary
Erin Pitts, Roanoke Elementary
Chelsea Farmer, Rice Middle School
Karina Server, Kay Granger Elementary
Elisa Lawson, Blanche Dodd Elementary
Roel Garza, Samuel Beck Elementary
Kayla Gentry, Thomson Elementary
Sue Bancroft Teacher of The Year Award
2001-02 Brenda Keen, Plano ISD, Hightower Elementary
2002-03 Jenny Estes, Denton ISD, Evers Elementary
2003-04 Ben Porter, Plano ISD, Beverly Elementary
Michelle Corazao, Lewisville ISD, Ethridge Elementary
2004-05 Cecile Johnson, Denton ISD, Woodrow Wilson Elementary
Stephnie Champion, Plano ISD, Huffman Elementary
2005-06 Amy Logan, Denton ISD, Strickland Middle School
Christina Wagner, Frisco ISD, Staley Middle School
2006-07 Christine Beutner, Denton ISD, Sam Houston Elementary
Phyllis Braund, Plano ISD, Andrews Elementary
2007-08 Jean Mundy, Plano ISD, Boggess Elementary
Judy Smith, Little Elm ISD, Zellars Elementary
2008-09 Kenny Allen, Plano ISD, Schell Elementary
2009-10 Joshua Taylor, Denton ISD, Navo Middle School
2010-11 Cecile Johnson, Denton ISD, Woodrow Wilson Elementary
2011-12 Nathan Dame, Denton ISD, Harpool Middle School
2012-13 Linda Ferris, Wortham ISD
2013-14 Ben Porter, Plano ISD, Beverly Elementary
2014-15 Hillary Leverton, Plano ISD, Stinson Elementary
2015-16 Megan Lamb, Krum ISD, Dodd Intermediate School
2016-17 Kayla Gentry, Northwest ISD, Cox Elementary
2017-18 Chara Rollins, Plano ISD, Huffman Elementary
2018-19 Brenda Keen, Plano ISD, Hightower Elementary
2019-20 Dena Anderson, Prosper ISD, Reynolds Middle
2021-22 Sarah Riordan, Plano ISD, Andrews Elementary
