The mission of the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus is to provide a high-quality, choral music education for children of diverse backgrounds, fostering teamwork, self-discipline, accomplishment and pride while filling an important cultural need in the community and sharing the beauty of the choral art form through artistically excellent performances. In 1995, several colleagues at Jacksonville University met to discuss the possibilities of making a shared dream come true. Local conductor Jim Taylor, with guidance from University President Dr. Fran Kinne and vocal conductor Dr. Jon Carlson, drew up the framework for a Jacksonville University Children’s Chorus. The program’s first choir served sixteen children, but through word of mouth, the program grew, and in 1998 Taylor and a brand-new Board of Directors worked to incorporate into The Jacksonville Children’s Chorus. The Chorus has grown to serve approximately 450 First Coast children each year. Its performance choir program includes over 280 talented young singers ages six through eighteen. Participating children come from a diversity of racial, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds, hail from five counties in Northeast Florida and represent over 160 schools. More than 33 percent of the members receive scholarship support. Since 1995, the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus has evolved into a multi-faceted community music program providing the social and cognitive rewards of vocal music and choral participation to area children.