The University of Arkansas Children's Choir, in association with the U of A's Community Music School, will be singing the national anthem before the Razorback men's basketball SEC conference matchup with Vanderbilt Wednesday, Jan. 15. 

"For some of our young singers, this will be the first time they have ever been inside Bud Walton Arena," said Rachel Cornett, the choir's director. "I'm so excited for how special it will be for the entire children's choir to sing in front of thousands of Razorback fans! It will be a memorable moment in their lives for sure."

There are two levels of the University of Arkansas Children's Choir. The first, UACC I, is composed of singers in grades 2-5 and the second, UACC II, includes singers in grades 6-12.

The older choir goes on a singing tour each year performing concerts in venues across the country and world. Past tours have included destinations such as New York City's Carnegie Hall; the Disney World Concert Series; Chicago's St. Patrick's Church; Dublin, Ireland's St. Patrick's Cathedral; and the group's 2020 tour will be to Austria, performing in historic venues including the Salzburg Dom.

The University of Arkansas Children's Choir began in 1997 and has grown to be one of the most distinguished youth choral programs in the region. This group of over 100 students from across Northwest Arkansas focuses on singing a diverse selection of choral music, including pieces from a variety of languages and cultures.

Singers in the program also learn performance skills, sight singing, ear training and music theory.

The choir works with the Department of Music's music education area to provide an internship each year for a choral music undergraduate who gains teaching and conducting experience with the choir.

For more information about the choir, email uacc@uark.edu or visit the group online.