The mission of the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir is to provide a choral program exemplifying artistic and educational excellence for children from diverse backgrounds. Created as an after school choral opportunity for children, 44 years later the Choir offers a rigorous music education outside the classroom. The Fort Wayne Children’s Choir is an extraordinary opportunity for northeast Indiana children to challenge themselves musically through singing, while learning a discipline that serves them throughout their entire lives. Over 5,000 children have participated in the organization. The goal of FWCC is excellence in artistry and education attained through 1) music literacy 2) education about composers, history, and language related to the music we sing and 3) performances. FWCC uses an Indiana Music Standards-based curriculum and the Kodály philosophy, an approach to music education. The ultimate goal for each singer is the ability to sight read music without accompaniment, leading to a lifetime of music appreciation and enjoyment. The value of music education in children’s lives has been well documented by professional music organizations.