"We Are The Chorus" is a community outreach program of the Armstrong Community Music School. "We Are The Chorus" sponsors fellowship and socialization for adults with developmental disabilities and their buddies through experiences of practicing, performing, and sharing music in an environment which encourages sound musical skills and teaches knowledge of well-known songs.

The Chorus is always looking for new members and invites you to come visit a Monday practice to see if "We Are The Chorus" would be fun for you!

What We Do

We practice on most Monday evenings at the Armstrong Community Music School Satellite location to enjoy singing, enjoy each other's company, have fun and prepare for our upcoming performances.

Performances are offered to retirement homes, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, schools, churches, and other community service organizations that ask for programs. The Chorus has performed for the Mayor’s Committee for Disabilities Awards Banquets, at the Capitol Rotunda, the Trail of Lights, Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies and other community functions. We learn Holiday music and perform in Nursing Homes, the Trail of Lights and upon request for community organizations. 

The Chorus requires that members who have disabilities have a singing Buddy.  The Buddy does not need to sing well (or at all) but provides assistance to the chorus member in learning the music and provides transportation to practice and to performances.  The Chorus member does not need to sing well – just have a desire to sing and learn.  It is amazing to see those who start out just barely singing along and in just a few months begin singing out strong and having a wonderful time. 

Our membership is open to young and older adults who have completed high school.  We occasionally make an exception to include younger students but have found that their school activities make it more difficult for them to participate on a regular basis.

Practices are on Monday evenings from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the James Armstrong Community Music School at 300 East Monroe.   We practice from January through June, take a break for the summer, and resume practices from August to mid-December. 

What We Do

We practice on most Monday evenings at the Armstrong Community Music School Satellite location to enjoy singing, enjoy each other's company, have fun and prepare for our upcoming performances.

Performances are offered to retirement homes, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, schools, churches, and other community service organizations that ask for programs. The Chorus has performed for the Mayor’s Committee for Disabilities Awards Banquets, at the Capitol Rotunda, the Trail of Lights, Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies and other community functions. We learn Holiday music and perform in Nursing Homes, the Trail of Lights and upon request for community organizations. 

When We Started

The group began practicing in the spring of 1999 at Tarrytown Methodist Church under the direction of Anna Derdyn with accompanist Greta Gutman. In August of 2000, Margaret Perry, the executive director of the Armstrong Community Music School, then a part of Austin Lyric Opera,  invited the Chorus to become the Choir in Residence for the school.  The Chorus is the School's longest standing community program (13 years in 2013).  

What Can You Do?

As a member of the community you can enjoy the performances at anytime as they are free and open to the public.

We welcome your support of our members that work so so hard and put on a quality performance. You will be impressed at what they accomplish.

How Can You Help?

You can support WATC by:

- attending performances

- invite the Chorus to perform for your organiztion

- making a donation to support the cost of materials and performances