A Christmas in Song

The celebrated Los Robles Children’s Choir will, once again, be regaling locals at their 15th Annual Holiday Concert this Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Fred Kavli Theater in the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

Entitled Christmas in Song, the children, whose ages range from 6 to 19, will be performing such holiday favorites as Clement C. Moore’s “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” as well as Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs.

Musicians from the Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra will be providing some of the accompaniment.

The choir, started by artistic director Donna Young back in 1996, was established as a music performance and education program for children and youth that emphasizes the development of musical skills and understanding. Singing is the major focus of the musical experience.

“I had always wanted to start a local children’s choir,” said Young.

She began the program with a handful of children from across the region in beginner’s and advanced groups, who rehearsed weekly at Moorpark College. Five years ago, the choir started rehearsing at United Methodist Church in Westlake Village.

With 125 members, there are now four sub-choirs, including an Apprentice Choir (introductory), Bel Canto Choir (beginning), Amadeus Choir (advanced treble) and Camerata Chamber (advanced high school singers).

The repertoire is selected according to each choir's level of skill and encompasses a wide range of musical styles, according to Young. While singing everything from classical works to folk song arrangements, the children learn various styles of music as well as many languages, she said.

Agoura Hills resident Emma Brandon, 10, is happily anticipating this year’s holiday concert. “It’s her third season but her first year in the Amadeus choir,” said mom Kathy.

The fifth-grader has been putting in hours of daily rehearsal time with the group. “We had to learn about 10 songs in English, Latin and Hebrew,” she said.

Like Brandon, Kara Thackston, 19, also had to juggle rehearsals and schoolwork. The college freshman might be one of the more senior choir members, but she is just as enthusiastic. “Performing really makes me happy,” said Thackston, who also hails from Agoura. A choir member since she was eight, Thackston joined to follow her older brother’s footsteps.

“Their family probably has the longest history with the choir,” said Young of the Thackstons. “Jared, the older brother, sang with us for the first 12 years.”

Thackston has toured with the choir twice, including a much-talked about performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City. “That was really an unforgettable time in my life,” she said.

The choir has performed in various festivals around US and Europe and has worked with several world-renowned conductors.

“They don’t sound like other children when they sing,” said Young. “They have beautiful head voices and excellent tone quality. Think Vienna Boys’ Choir.”

This year’s holiday concert will be bittersweet, as Young recently announced that she is retiring at the end of the season. “The time has come for me to use my energy in other places,” said the recent grandmother. “I adore the children but they will be in good hands.”

To purchase tickets to the show, click here.

For more information about the choir, click here.