My 8yo, who was deeply opposed to summer strings camp, came back with incredible joy and glee after day 1 of camp and begged to do the camp again next summer. The entire two weeks she was incredibly engaged, even choosing to practice on her own (which she'd never done before!!) because she was so enthusiastic about the music and camp. I'm so impressed by Crowden's faculty and counselors. I was also really amazed at the end of camp recital how much the kids were able to learn. They had a chorus with the whole camp where they sang a Bach cantata in German together - and it actually sounded good! Crowden really ignited a fire in my kiddo who was definitely meh about music up until now. Can't wait to send her back for another summer session. read more

The intro to music for kids class is ridiculous. Just a waste of money and time, actually counterproductive if your kid wants to learn music. read more

We have a fourth grader at the Crowden school. They love it! They have made friends across all grade levels, and the music aspect is pretty incredible. They started their instrument with no experience in the third grade and 18 months later are practicing the first movement of a concerto- it's amazing what two hours of music a day, five days a week can do. We're happy with the academic program- knowledgeable and caring teachers, small class size, and fascinating and socially aware curricula. read more

My daughter has been attending Crowden Chamber Singers for about 2 years and it has been her most enjoyable experience in music to date. Betsy Marvit is an immensely passionate teacher who really pushes her students, while still making rehersals something the kids look foreward to. The students have varying musical and instrumental experience that makes the group very diverse. Betsy exposes the students to numerous different musical periods and music theory concepts. They are always a hit at their concerts and often accompany themselves on their instruments. I strongly reccomend this choir! read more

My 14 year old has been in choirs since age 5. This is the first year that they tried the Crowdens chamber singers. I am just incredibly impressed by how great the performance was this weekend. The amazing director, Betsy was able to teach them several very advanced songs in just 13 weeks with only meeting for an hour and a half once a week. Betsy does an excellent job with the children. She is able to push the children to work harder and focus while keeping a good sense of humor. I am impressed with how she can handle that many middle schoolers. I'm so grateful to have found this choir and director, Betsy. My 11 year old enjoyed the performance so much that he wants to join the choir next year. read more

My daughter has been singing in the Crowden Children's Chorus for three years now, we just got home from their beautiful spring concert. Over this time she has gone from tentative participation to full-out singing and movement, and loves Betsy, the incredibly dedicated and talented director, very much. Her little sis can't wait to join next fall! If you are looking for a way for your kid to experience music, learn real musicianship and have FUN, I can't recommend Crowden Children's Chorus enough. It isn't as big a time commitment as some of the other ensembles in the area, and the kids really do learn solid musicianship and vocal skills, thanks to Betsy (the director) and her magical (silly, yet direct and demanding in the best way) teaching techniques. read more

My daughter takes piano lessons and is a part of Crowden's youth choir. I can't say enough great things about this special school. Both of her teachers are fantastic. They offer guidance and encouragement, but also push them to excel and know each child's potential. I highly recommend checking out any of the programs this school offers. read more

This is a recommendation for both Crowden Childrens Chorus and Crowden Chamber Singers. Betsy Marvit is a miracle with these kids. Her combination of top-level musicianship and palpable connection with the group results in the accomplishment of an ASTONISHING amount in one rehearsal/week. The chorus members themselves have a great chemistry. They are so into it and clearly bond over laughing at rehearsal and the magic created together. I've witnessed my and other kids remarkable growth in a very short time. Betsy really stretches them, and they love it. She's got a unique style, warmth, understanding of young voices, creativity, etc, but probably the best place to find out (aside from attending one of the rehearsals) is by looking at the reviews on BPN (unlike here, BPN leaves all genuine parental feedback unfiltered): https://www.berkeleyparentsnetwork.org/questions/next-step-chorus-boy-choister The semesters are 14 weeks, i.e. 14 rehearsals total. This one is worth traveling for. If you live in the East Bay, seriously, don't miss out. read more

As a professional violinist/violist in the Bay Area, I am also a former student of Anne Crowden. One of my most influential and inspiring teachers, I can't say enough good things about this very special school. Children thrive and learn in a nurturing environment that is strong both musically and academically. They put on delightful concerts open to the community featuring both students and faculty. read more

We love the Crowden Childen's Choir. Our 10 year daughter has been in the choir for three straight seasons. She loves it. The commitment was perfect for our daughter. Every Saturday at 9:30 am. The director, Betsy Marvit is amazing. She fun, engaging, committed, and an expert in her discipline. She choses the most amazing pieces for the children to sing. And the performances are a real treat. The kids really respond. If your looking for a choir program, this is the one. read more

The Crowden School is the pride of north Berkeley, the only middle school in the United States that focuses on chamber music. Founded by legendary Scottish violinist Anne Crowden in 1983, TCS balances a rigorous apprenticeship in the classical tradition with a stellar academic program. The student talent attracted by this small school (fewer than 100 kids) is jaw-dropping. Come to one of the free concerts and you'll see what I mean! read more

My daughter and son both sang in the Children's Chorus at Crowden for several years, and my daughter continues in the Chamber Singers, the oldest group in the series. I can't say enough positive things about Betsy Marvit, the chorus director. She is engaging for the youngest children, and demanding for the oldest. My daughter has learned more about music and music theory from this group than she has from her formal music/band classes in the BUSD schools (which are also excellent). If your child likes to sing, and you can spare an hour on Saturday AM, get them to the Crowden Children's chorus. If your child is already music literate, consider either the advanced group for ages 11-15, or having them audition for the chamber Singers. read more

A bunch of the reviews have been filtered out - it is unclear as to why given that the posts are all from parents posting opinions on how the class went and because they/we think this is a great program that other people should know about. We've had kids in the chorus for years - this will be our 4th year. The teacher chooses a wide variety of songs, which are multi-part and sometimes in other languages. The songs are challenging but often playful. What the kids like the most is that the music is interesting and songs are taught with a light tone and a lot of fun. Betsy has a sense of humor that hits the sweet spot for elementary aged kids, while teaching them how to use their voices. Recently, Betsy added a second chorus for the older kids, which was great as my older child now has an option that still challenges him while the younger can keep singing with him in the earlier class. read more

Our daughter has been taking piano private lessons with Mrs. Alyona Marenchuk for the past year. After 4 years of piano lessons with 2 other teachers, we have finally found a real educator! Mrs. Marenchuk doesn't spare her effort and energy in encouraging and teaching with all the detail. We are very grateful to be able to have such a passionate teacher for our daughter. read more

Excellent community programs offered at Crowden. Two of my children take music lessons here, and it is a wonderful environment to encourage a love of music. They also offer wonderful events that are open to the community, one of which we attended last spring. My 3 year old was entranced with the Strings "petting zoo," and would not put the miniature cello down. The staff clearly take their jobs seriously and you get the sense that something special is taking place before your eyes. Highly recommend. read more

Hey! The Crowden Center for Music in the Community has spaces available for some of their camps. Check out their website at www.crowden.org. The programs they offer are excellent, with great teachers, and awesome opportunities for the students. Highly recommended. Check out the website! Then come visit us this summer! read more

This place is good for students who want to be out there and apart from other kids in the regular world the school has nice teachers too

Crowden Chamber Singers is amazing. My daughter was in the Children's Chorus for several years and absolutely loved it. She was thrilled when Betsy started the Chamber Singers for the older kids. Betsy is a wonder: she is warm, funny and superbly talented. Despite the group only meeting for an hour a week, they learn sophisticated music. While the chorus is low key and fun, the kids learn a lot and sing beautiful pieces. The Chamber Singers is the highlight of my daughter's week. (And truth be told listening to rehearsals is one of the high point of my week!). I can't recommend this group highly enough! read more

My 13-year old daughter joined this group at the urging of some of her friends who started with the Children's Chorus, loved it, but had grown out of it. She wasn't sure what to expect, as she was already in her school choir, but as it turned out, she LOVED it. She does not have a "professional" voice, though it is lovely. She just likes to sing and can sing on key - enough to qualify! Betsy gets right down to business in a fun and nurturing way. My daughter felt engaged and challenged throughout and went eagerly every Saturday. She had an air of confidence in herself by the end. As a former music major, I was very impressed by the sophistication of the music, not to mention that it was all a cappella! They participated in a choir festival in another town at the very end with a number of other highly polished choirs. The other choir leaders were very impressed with how good they were and that all their material was a cappella. On that particular field trip, the enthusiasm was so high that the girls, of their own volition, did a spontaneous 'flash mob' style choir performance at the local Burger King over lunch! To the big grins and applause of the patrons. Another advantage to being a cappella. :-) This has been a great musical and social experience for our daughter! read more

My daughter loves choir and Betsy! She sang in the Children's Chorus for 2 years, now she is singing a cappella with the Chamber Singers. This choir has been the perfect balance for our family- meet once per week for one hour, introduction to voice and group singing, exposure to varied challenging music and FUN! Betsy is talented, encouraging, and goofy with the kids- they all seem riveted by her. I expect my daughter will want to continue coming as long as she is eligible. read more

Our daughter has been in the Crowden Children's Choir for two years. She's progressed so much in her understanding and love of music, and she enjoys it tremendously. I take her on Saturdays and bring a book to read while waiting but often end up just watching the practice and admiring Betsy's really amazing style as a teacher. She seems to see every single student, and has an uncanny ability to move between fun, silly, strict, creative, and encouraging. The kids follow her every move, and really respond. Sometimes the songs seem really hard to me; with four part harmonies, words in different languages, requirements of different vocal intonation - she teaches it all to them, and I find it wonderful to watch them concentrating, enjoying, and learning. Betsy doesn't rank the students by skills and experience. She obviously believes that everybody can participate and contribute, and when the time for the performance comes, they sing beautifully! read more

I was searching for a chorus for my fourth grade daughter and stumbled upon Crowden Children's Chorus. I didn't know anything about it or anyone who did it, but the timing was right and I figured we'd give it a try. Unknowingly, we stumbled into this wonderful hidden gem of the East Bay. The director, Betsy Marvit, is not only a great musician, but she is like a kid-whisperer. She combines utter silliness with great musicianship--the kids adore her (and I can see why). The only negative I can say about the Children's Chorus is: forget about ever going away for the weekend during Chorus season again. Our daughter refused to miss a session--she begged us to do anything to avoid her missing her time with Betsy and the other kids. The chorus did their end of year "recital" today. I found myself humming one of the songs tonight and my daughter begged me to stop (and not for the usual reason she does--because I have an awful voice): "hearing you hum our song is only going to make me miss it more." So--run, don't walk, to sign your 7-12 year old up for the Crowden Children's Chorus...unless, of course, you want to ever go away on a weekend during choral season.... read more

My kids have been singing in the Children's Chorus for more than three years. Betsy chooses a wide variety of songs, which are multi-part compositions and often in other languages. Yet, this challenging content is always presented with a deep sense of fun. Betsy has a sense of humor that hits the sweet spot for elementary aged kids, while teaching them how to use their voices. I have been impressed that the chorus has worked so well, both for my son, who has a naturally beautiful voice, and for my daughter, who started with little talent but great enthusiasm. Even on days when the kids are grumpy leaving the house, they come out of chorus joyful and engaged. I think an opportunity like this-which is both complex and low key-is a huge gift for kids. Recently, Betsy added a second chorus for the older kids, which was a wonderful way for the more experienced students to dive deeper into the music. I'm hoping that this will be offered again, so my rising sixth grader can keep coming! read more

My daughter participated in the Crowden Children's Chorus for several years and is now an enthusiastic 13 year-old member of the Crowden Chamber Singers (an a cappella group). Betsy Marvit, who leads both groups, is an amazingly talented director. Her energy, warmth and sense of humor keep the focused attention of younger children and teens alike. Come observe a class--I guarantee that you will be impressed! Although both the Crowden Children's Chorus and the Crowden Chamber Singers are low-pressure recreational groups meeting for only one hour per week, the kids are able to master surprisingly difficult pieces. The end-of-semester concert selections are lovely and feature a wide range of musical genres and time periods. A standout from the most recent concert was the Crowden Chamber Singers' rendition of the early baroque madrigal "The Silver Swan" by Orlando Gibbons. My daughter loves being part of the Crowden Chamber Singers and often breaks into song around the house or while we're driving in the car. Thanks to Betsy, I have a teenager who actually looks forward to getting up on Saturday mornings! read more