MUSICAL EXPERIENCES
& VOCAL DEVELOPMENT
For Boys and Girls Ages 7-14 Who Love to Sing
Providing musical experiences and vocal development since 1974. We believe in nurturing young talent and creating a lifelong love for music. Join us to be a part of something extraordinary.
51
Years of Musical Excellence
300+
Performances
1,200
Talented Singers Have Sung With Us
9
International Tours
ABOUT
Education & Repertoire
The Seven Rivers Youth Choir's curriculum includes professional-level conducting and instruction, sight-singing, individual voice training, music theory, and musicianship.
The choir’s repertoire ranges from sacred music, classical works, spirituals, and folk songs to modern popular music, though the significant emphasis is on the former.
The Experience
Since its founding as the La Crosse BoyChoir in 1974, a component of the curriculum has included local, regional, national, and international concert tours, as well as other character-building experiences.
Available Choir Sections
DELLO JOIO SECTION
This level is for boys and girls with little or no singing experience.
Who:
Boys and girls in grades 2-4 / ages 7-10
Season:
September 8, 2025 – June 13, 2026
Rehearsal:
Mondays from 6-8 p.m. @ Cappella Performing Arts Center, 721 King St,
La Crosse, WI 54601
COPLAND SECTION
This level is suitable for boys and girls with some prior singing experience.
Who:
Boys and girls in grades 4-8 / ages 9-14
Season:
September 8, 2025 – June 13, 2026
Rehearsal:
Mondays from 6-8 p.m. @ Cappella Performing Arts Center, 721 King St,
La Crosse, WI 54601
Meet Our Artistic Director
Daniel Johnson-Wilmot, our Founder and Artistic Director, is a Professor Emeritus and Visiting Professor in the Music Department at Viterbo University. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Music from St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, and a Master of Music in Voice from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He joined the Viterbo music faculty in 1973 and now teaches applied voice. He previously served as chair of the music department and is currently in his fifty-second year of teaching at Viterbo.
He is a past Regional Governor of the North Central Region of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. He continues to chair the Wisconsin NATS Student Auditions, a position he has held for over twenty-five years. He served two terms as the National Vice President for Membership of NATS. In 2019, he was chosen as a Master Teacher for the NATS Intern Program. He serves as the NATS National Student Auditions Coordinator and on the NATS National Conference Committee.
Daniel is a singer, director, soloist, teacher, and conductor. --- SINGER He has sung roles in: - The Marriage of Figaro - The Wings of the Dove - Rigoletto - La Boheme - The Rake’s Progress - Die Fledermaus As a District Metropolitan Opera Audition First Place Winner, he received early recognition as a fine lyric baritone. --- DIRECTOR He has directed these works: - The Marriage of Figaro - The Consul - The Robbers - Riders to the Sea - Dido and Aeneas - Hansel and Gretel - Amahl and the Night Visitors - Cinderella - The Barber of Seville - The Magic Flute - Die Fledermaus - Also numerous one-act operas --- SOLOIST He has appeared as a soloist with the: - St. Paul Chamber Orchestra - Pro Arte Quartet - Fox Valley Symphony - Waukesha Symphony - La Crosse Symphony - Cleveland Orchestra in the Blossom Music Festival His performances with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra were bass and baritone solos in Orff’s Carmina Burana, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Haydn’s Creation, and the Verdi Requiem. --- TEACHER Daniel has adjudicated auditions and competitions and taught master classes in the United States, Europe, and China. His voice students have won over 400 awards in the NATS state, regional and national auditions. His students are frequent winners in the district and regional Metropolitan Opera auditions, the Bruce Carlson Schubert Club Scholarship Competition, and the Classical Singer Competition. His former students are singing on Broadway and the Metropolitan Opera and in summer programs at: - Sarasota - Ohio Light - Glimmerglass - Merola - Central City - Professional choral groups such as Chanticleer His students have received scholarships to prestigious graduate programs at: - Manhattan School - University of Indiana, Bloomington - Cleveland Institute - University of Houston - University of Minnesota, Minneapolis - University of Kentucky, Lexington - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor --- CONDUCTOR He has conducted the Viterbo University Concert Choir for thirty years. He founded the La Crosse BoyChoir in 1974 and the La Crosse Girlchoir as the Three Rivers Girls Chorus in 1987. He was the bass section leader in the St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral Gallery Singers for eleven years and sang in the Choir of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadeloupe.
“I love teaching because I enjoy the process that students engage in as they discover the musical gifts and artistic potential they possess and develop that potential to its fullest. The study of vocal music is a cooperative venture where teacher, student, and accompanist enter in as partners to explore the creative potential of vocal artistry.”
JOIN THE CHOIR
Join one of our rehearsals to learn more about the choir and meet other boys and girls who love to sing! Now scheduling audition rehearsal visits for the 2025-2026 season!
We're Excited to Sing With You
We schedule audition rehearsal visits in September and January. Please plan to stay for the entire rehearsal to get the full experience. You will participate in scales, rhythmic exercises, pitch matching, and singing during your audition rehearsal visit.
Feel the Magic of the Seven Rivers Youth Choir
Rehearsals are every Monday evening from 6-8 p.m., September to May, at Cappella Performing Arts Center, 721 King St,
La Crosse, WI 54601
SUPPORT THE CHOIR
Your Support Changes Lives
The Seven Rivers Youth Choir provides musical experiences and vocal development opportunities to boys and girls, preparing them for a lifetime of musical appreciation and enjoyment.
Sponsorships
Your sponsorship will transform the lives of talented young singers and help sustain the Seven Rivers Youth Choir as a thriving performing arts organization.
Legacy Gifts, Bequests,
& Appreciable Securities
Remember the Seven Rivers Youth Choir in your will or trust and guarantee the financial security of our organization for years to come.
Contact Us
Mailing Address
PO Box 186, La Crosse, WI 54602-0186
