EdOp
(Education Opportunity)

We are transitioning from using ECCO (Eugene Concert Choir Outreach) as our program name, to EdOp (Education Opportunity) as we continue to grow and improve our outreach to students across our region.

The Eugene Concert Choir has a long tradition of educational outreach to the Eugene community
and beyond. Beginning in 1996, hundreds of area elementary and middle school students participated in “Singing a Masterwork”, joining their voices with the singers of the Eugene Concert Choir on the Hult Center Silva Hall Concert stage over the course of several seasons. Eugene Concert Choir Outreach (ECCO) was established in 2008 as an alternate program of
Concert Choir music education instructors visiting students in their classrooms to teach vocal
and music fundamentals.

Led by our Music Education Director, Jill Switzer, this program involves three 30-45 minute lively and interactive classroom presentations designed to introduce youth, 2nd-8th grade, to musical concepts and to choral singing. Through learning songs from one of our main season Hult Center concerts, students explore music fundamentals such as melody, form, vocal sound and rhythm. Presentations are appropriate for all classrooms and should not be limited to music
class.

EdOp student participants receive a free pass for themselves and one accompanying adult to
attend our “For Kids” concert and perform the songs they learned with the 110-voice Eugene
Concert Choir, Dr. Diane Retallack, director, and special guest artists at the Hult Center.

Participating classes receive a digital audio file of the songs, sheet music and any related materials for teacher use in the classroom.

In 2024 we visited 15 schools with 96 presentations to 1090 students. Over 260 of those students joined us to sing their songs in the All Americas for Kids concert at the Hult Center. We are eager to reach your students in our upcoming season.

EdOp 2025 participants will receive a free pass for themselves and an accompanying adult to attend and perform as part of the Singing Celebration for Kids concert on Saturday, March 8 at 2:30 pm in Silva Concert Hall at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts.

EdOp is FREE.

If your school is interested in participating in the EdOp program, please submit this form by October 28, 2024.

For questions, contact our Music Education Director,
Jill Switzer at education@eugeneconcertchoir.org or call the choir office at 541-687-6865