Meet the Homeschool Choirs
Arioso
Director: Stephanie Rauh
Arioso is our high school audition choir for ages 14 and up. Young men (under 14) whose voices have changed can also audition to sing with this group. The choir performs a wide variety of music, with a focus on “classic” choral music (folk, classical, sacred, hymns, international, Broadway, spirituals.) Most of what we perform is at least four parts, soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. This choir is under the direction of Stephanie Rauh. Singers will participate in the November and April concerts, as well as a local nursing home spring tour in early to mid-April. This spring Arioso singers will also have the opportunity to participate in a tour to Chicago. Rehearsals are from 2:00-3:30 pm. Arioso auditions have been held. If you missed the auditions and would like to sign up, please contact Amanda Elo at amanda.elo@hotmail.com .
Arioso
Calendar
Arioso
Concerts
Cantabile
Director: Alissa Kludtke
Cantabile is our non-auditioned choir for students ages 12 and up. This choir is under the direction of Alissa Kludtke. This choir will include a wide variety of music that is more challenging than Con Brio, but not as difficult as Arioso. We will strive to cultivate an encouraging environment that focuses on learning about singing and music by doing just that - singing and making music! Though most of the singers will have higher (treble) voices, when a boy's voice starts to change, he will be allowed to sing lower or transition to Arioso may be considered. For the fall session, Cantabile will sing in the November concerts. For the winter/spring session, Cantabile will join Con Brio for the musical drama which will be presented in mid-March. Cantabile will continue their session for the April concert with Arioso. Rehearsals are from 2:00-3:15 pm. Each singer will need to sing for Alissa to help her select music that fits the capabilities of the singers who will be participating. If you would like to join this choir, contact Amanda Elo at amanda.elo@hotmail.com before registering.
Cantabile
Calendar
Director: Kate Sanders
Con Brio
Con Brio is our non-auditioned choir for boys and girls ages 8-11. (The date we are using for deciding which choir your child is in is Sept. 1.) This choir is under the direction of Kate Sanders. Singers will sing a variety of songs in the November concerts. The choir presents a Biblically based musical drama in March. Rehearsals are from 2:00-3:00 pm.
Staccato
Director: Rebecca Walters
Con Brio
Calendar
Staccato is the non-auditioned choir for boys and girls ages 5 through 7. This choir is under the direction of Rebecca Walters. Students must be 5 years old by September 1. A student who is 7 years old on October 1 and soon to be 8 when joining Staccato in the fall, remains in Staccato for the whole calendar year. He or she does not move to Con Brio until the following fall. Singers will participate in the November and mid-March concerts and only rehearse for 6-8 weeks prior to these concerts. There is a limit of 30 students so make sure to register promptly. Staccato rehearsals will be Thursdays from 2:00-3:00 pm.
Staccato
Calendar
Composer In Residence
Composer: Suzy Johnson
In 1996, Suzy founded RAACHE Choirs (originally called the Southeast Minnesota Homeschool Choir). Over the years the organization grew to four choirs, providing a place for homeschool students to sing throughout their primary and secondary education. Besides conducting Con Brio 1997-2024 and serving as artistic director through 2023, Suzy conducted Arioso from its beginning in 2003 through spring of 2018.
Suzy began composing in 2018, drawing on her years of choral experience to create music that brings joy to singers of all ages.
Suzy is retiring from conducting with RAACHE Choirs in November of 2024 but remains part of the organization as Composer in Residence.