There is no doubt that children love to sing. From birth they are sung to, but as toddlers they begin to vocalise themselves, whether it is mimicing a nursery rhyme, something they hear on television, or what they learn in nursery school.

When they're older, they may or may not participate in school or church choirs, usually with either rudimentary training or none at all.

The Treble Choir is different. Founded in January, 2006 by Bermuda School of Music (BSM) faculty member Ryan Ellis, it offers proper training for young voices aged six to 13.

The lessons are free as part of the BSM's schools and community outreach programme, and membership is open to all of the Island's children — in fact, the more the merrier.

"There are no fees, auditions or try-outs, we just want everyone to come and sing and learn," the director says.

With the new school year just begun, Mr. Ellis is inviting all youngsters who are interested in choral singing to contact him as soon as possible as rehearsals are about to begin on an exciting production scheduled for October.

"This year I have changed the structure a bit, and I am going to have a junior singers' section for six to nine year olds," he says.

Rehearsals are held at the Bermuda School of Music in the old Berkeley Institute building on Tuesdays from 4.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. for six to nine-year-olds, and on Thursdays at the same time for ten to 13 year-olds.

The repertoire is wide-ranging, and includes classical, modern and folk arrangements, all of it learned in a fun environment.

"Participants learn the basics of singing, which is proper breathing, ear training, learning the expressive qualities of music and tying that to our natural instrument: the voice," Mr. Ellis says. "I am a firm believer that if children have that experience at a young age it will last a lifetime.

"The best singers in the Bermuda Chamber Choir, which I also direct, are the ones who have had that experience at a young age, and which is what has continued their love of choral music."

Indeed, the benefits of choral singing are many, and apart from the joys of group learning, they also include confidence building, performance etiquette, expression of music, and more.

"The discipline of choral singing does so much in terms of breathing, body posture and alignment, and it also impresses the ability to enunciate more clearly.

"It is really a wonderful skill to be aware of these things at a young age. Then there are the friendships which develop as barriers are broken down.

"We give so much of ourselves and our singing voices that when you do that with your friends on the left and right you feel confident and create bonds with your peers," Mr. Ellis says.

Citing 12-year-old Megan Ward, who has been with the Treble Choir from inception, as one example of how moving choral singing can be, the director said she confessed, with tears in her eyes, that the song they were rehearsing always made her cry.

"I told her that is good because if you are connected to it and moved by it, the audience will be too. It was a touching moment."

The Choir is currently rehearsing 'Missa Gaia' for presentation at the Anglican Cathedral next month. The nature of the music is based around the image of St. Francis of Assissi, and involves animal noises.

"It is such fun. The children just love it, as well as the adults. It resonates with everybody, so anyone wishing to join the choir should hurry to sign up."

Mr. Ellis can be reached at the Bermuda School of Music, telephone 296-5100 ext. 207 or by e-mail: ryanellis@musicschool.bm.