Choir

In our Children’s Chorus, young singers (ages 8-14) build vocal skills, confidence, and a love for music. Led by expert educator Dr. Sarah Houghton, your child will explore diverse musical styles and enjoy performance opportunities in a supportive environment.

Enroll today and let your child’s voice shine!

ENROLL NOW →

DIANA & JOEL PETERSON SCHOOL OF MUSIC

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH

Our approach

Our Children’s Chorus, open to singers ages 8-13, is the perfect place for young vocalists to explore their passion for singing, whether they have prior experience or are just beginning their musical journey. Through a placement audition, we welcome students of all levels, providing them with an exciting opportunity to develop essential vocal and ensemble skills in a supportive, nurturing environment.

Under the expert guidance of Dr. Sarah Houghton—an accomplished music educator with a DMA in Music Education from Boston University and a distinguished background leading children’s choruses at the New England Conservatory—students will learn the fundamentals of healthy vocal production, ear training, part independence, and music notation reading. Special emphasis is placed on developing audiation skills, allowing students to “hear” music in their minds and become autonomous musicians. Through engaging, developmentally appropriate activities, our choristers will explore a diverse repertoire of musical styles, languages, and both unison and multi-part singing.

Children’s Chorus members will also have the opportunity to perform in two exciting concerts each year, showcasing their progress and newfound skills in front of family and friends. These performances inspire confidence, teamwork, and a lifelong love of music. All students must be able to read text, as they will work on enhancing their musical literacy throughout the program.

A GIFTED MUSIC SCHOOL TRADITION

EST. 2008

What to expect

Placement audition:

All new students are required to complete a brief placement audition, which helps us determine the best fit for each singer—whether that’s joining our Children’s Chorus, the Preparatory Chorus, or pursuing private voice lessons. During the 10-minute audition with Dr. Houghton, students are asked to sing a short song of their choice, a cappella (no accompaniment necessary). This audition provides valuable insights into your child’s readiness for group or individual instruction, and Dr. Houghton will offer personalized feedback and recommendations to ensure your child receives the most enriching experience possible.

Class Dates (15 sessions): Mondays, 6:00-7:00 PM

  • August: 18, 25

  • September: 8, 15, 22, 29

  • October: 6, 13, 20, 27

  • November: 3, 10, 17

  • December: 8, 15

Tuition: A 10-minute placement lesson with Dr. Houghton is required for a $15 fee. This brief session allows her to assess your child’s voice and assign appropriate vocal parts. Tuition is then $375 per semester (non-refundable, includes materials) + $25 registration fee. Please feel free to join us to observe a class for free before registering!

Who our lessons are for

We offer world-class training for students of all ages and levels, from young beginners to adults—our oldest student is 90!

Most of our programs are designed to support growth from preschool through high school graduation, we provide an integrated pathway for musical and personal development. Every program contributes to our goal of fostering future community leaders, engaged citizens, and passionate musicians.

What students will learn

Students will build a strong foundation in vocal technique, including breath control, vocal projection, and clear diction.

They will develop essential music skills such as reading notation and maintaining part independence while singing in harmony with others. Through engaging lessons and group rehearsals, students will learn to blend their voices and perform a wide range of musical styles, all while gaining confidence and teamwork skills. With expert guidance from our world-class instructors, young singers will grow both musically and personally.

Students will learn the importance of articulation when singing. Proper diction ensures clarity and helps convey emotion and meaning in a song. They will also learn how to hear and match pitches to be able to train their hearing to be able to sing in tune.

Lesson costs

Tuition for choir varies depending on the instructor and the length of the lesson. Detailed tuition ranges by department are available here. This allows families to choose the best fit for their needs. The lesson package includes all regular lessons, studio recitals, and group performance opportunities, providing a well-rounded musical education.

Our school’s mission is to help as many students as posisble experience the joy of music, regardless of financial constraints. We offer several need- based and merit-based scholarships. We would love to have you apply.

Meet the faculty

  • Dr. Sarah Houghton

    Dr. Sarah Houghton holds a Doctorate in Musical Arts from Boston University and has extensive experience in both classical and musical theatre performance. As the former Director of Preparatory Children’s Choruses at the New England Conservatory, Dr. Houghton brings exceptional expertise to our voice program. She has also performed with the New York Musical Theatre Festival and American Repertory Theatre.

    Full bio >

Frequently asked questions

Ready to learn more? See further details here, and don’t hesitate to reach out to discuss any additional questions. You can always find us at:

info@petersonschoolofmusic.org

(385) 222-7787

  • Signing up for lessons and classes is easy! Go to our new student registration page and fill out the form. You can choose from a variety of programs based on your interests and skill level. We will be in touch with you shortly after the form is completed. If you’re not sure where to start, feel free to contact us, and we’ll guide you in selecting the right program for you or your child.

  • We offer a range of programs designed to meet the needs of students at every level of their musical journey:

    • Conservatory: For serious students who gain admission through audition. Once admitted, students receive a full scholarship for all their classes.

    • Academy: High-level tuition-based lessons and classes open to students of all ages from the general community. Scholarships are available to help support aspiring musicians.

    • GRIT Program: Our comprehensive outreach program in Title I schools, bringing high-quality music education to underserved communities.

    • Young Composers Academy (YCA): Tuition-based Conservatory classes and opportunities that are available to the general public.

    • Suzuki Program: A part of the Preparatory Program, focused on string students using the renowned Suzuki method.

  • We combine a thoughtful, human-centered approach with clear communication and reliable results. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart.

  • Our school is home to an extraordinary team of faculty members and teachers, all of whom are accomplished musicians and dedicated educators. Our faculty bring a wealth of professional experience and expertise to their teaching, ensuring that students receive top-tier musical instruction. You can learn more about each instructor by visiting our faculty page, where you’ll find bios and details about their areas of specialization.

  • To apply to our Conservatory program, students must go through an audition process. This ensures that we select students who are committed to excelling in their musical studies. Information about audition dates and requirements can be found on our Conservatory Admissions page. If you have questions or need assistance during the application process, our admissions team is here to help.

  • Your support is vital to the success of our programs and the growth of our students. To make a donation or learn more about the different ways you can contribute, please visit the donate page on our website. Donations go toward scholarships, outreach programs, and other initiatives that make high-quality music education accessible to all.

“I have three daughters at Peterson School of Music, two on flute and one on clarinet. The school has helped them each excel as musicians!”

Tiffanie Wride
PSM Parent