youth choir
Kol NoVa, the Jewish Youth Choir of Northern Virginia, is open to all children in grades 2 and up
who love to sing contemporary Jewish music.
Our fun, spirited rehearsals are held about two Sundays per month at Congregation Olam Tikvah, 3800 Glenbrook Rd, Fairfax from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. and are conducted by Carol, the group’s founding director.
The first rehearsal of our 2012-2013 season will take place September 30, 2012. The year's first events will be a concert at the Jewish Folk Arts Festival on Sunday afternoon, November 18 and participating in a multigenerational Hanukkah concert and sing-along at The Jefferson on Sunday afternoon, December 9. (See below for our draft 2012-2013 schedule.) One of the singers' favorite musical activities is our annual, fully-staged Purim musical. 
Please contact Carol by email (cbleon@hotmail.com) or phone (703-250-0554) if your child might be interested in trying out a rehearsal to experience the fun before deciding to join. Children need to be mature enough to rehearse for 90 minutes (including a brief break) and be comfortable in a multi-age group, as half the Kol NoVa members are teenagers.
Kol NoVa is a non-audition community youth choir; its members come from all over Northern Virginia. Kol NoVa members are wonderful, caring kids who are dedicated to singing with the group.
We Give You Thanks Play Song | Stop
Last year's performances also included a fully-staged Purim musical for two congregations, songleading at a Tot Seder, leading a Shabbat evening service at Greenspring Village and performing at the Israel Street Festival in Fairfax Corner. Because Carol sees the value of multigenerational events, Kol NoVa also sings occasionally with an adult choir, the Olam Tikvah Chorale.
Performances in prior years have included singing in the Senate briefing room and at the Pentagon; a Chanukah sing-along at the Hebrew Home; a Washington-area Jewish choral concert at the Strathmore Concert Hall; concerts at the Jewish Folk Arts Festival; a Habitat-for-Humanity "Building on Faith" concert and lots more. Kol NoVa families end the year with a barbecue and balloon toss.
Children are welcome to try out a rehearsal before deciding whether to join. They really are fun! Just let Carol know to expect you. Tuition is $85/semester. Semester 1 is late September-December. Semester 2 is January-May. Pro-rated tuition is possible for those who join late. Children may register for only one semester, but the learning is cumulative and essentially everyone sticks with it the whole year... and most of our members return year after year.
Choir members are provided with a music binder, a Kol NoVa t-shirt and are loaned a performance vest.
Below is our draft 2012-2013 schedule (as of August 2012)
Rehearsals are Sundays (4:15-5:45 pm) at Olam Tikvah
- Sun, Sep 30 Rehearsal
- Sun, Oct 14 Rehearsal
- Sun, Oct 28 Rehearsal
- Sun, Nov 11 Rehearsal
- Sun, Nov 18 Afternoon concert, Jewish Folk Arts Festival, B'nai Israel, Rockville, MD 2:50-3:15 p.m. and 5-5:30 p.m.
- Sun, Dec 2 Rehearsal
- Sun, Dec 9 Multigenerational Hanukkah concert and sing-along at The Jefferson, 900 N. Taylor St, Arlington, arrive 2 p.m.
- Sun, Dec 16 Hanukkah party and Purim script read-through at Carol's house, 3-5 p.m.
- Dec 22 and, if necessary, Dec 30: Auditions for the Purim musical will take place by appointment at Carol's house
- Sun, Jan 6 Purim rehearsal #1
- Sun, Jan 13 Purim rehearsal #2
- Sun, Jan 27 Purim rehearsal #3
- Sun, Feb 3 Purim rehearsal #4
- Sun, Feb 10 Purim dress rehearsal on stage, Village Theatre, Greenspring Village, 3-6 p.m.
- Sat, Feb 23 Additional Purim rehearsal, Beth El Hebrew Cong., 4:30-6 (or 6:30) p.m., Room 206
- Sun, Feb 24 Performance of Purim musical at Beth El Hebrew Cong. (arrive 10 a.m. for 11 a.m. performance) and Greenspring Village (arrive 2 p.m. for 2:30 p.m. performance)
- Sun, Mar 10 Seder rehearsal
- Sun, Mar 24 Lead Tot Seder at Beth El Hebrew Cong., arrive 10:45 a.m.; reservation required for family members
- Sun, Apr 7 Rehearsal
- Sun, Apr 21 Rehearsal
- Sun, May 5 Rehearsal
- Fri, May 10 Lead Friday evening service at Greenspring Village, arrive 7 p.m. for 7:15 p.m. service
- Sun, June 9 Annual Kol NoVa family get-together: a beach party! 4:00 p.m. at Lake Barcroft