Learning harmony: Madeleine Choir School has unique 'school spirit'

If you were asked to name a Utah choir that toured Europe and sang at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, you'd likely pick the wrong choir.

The answer is the Choristers of the Madeleine Choir School.

Located in the lower Avenues of Salt Lake City, the school is not so much a well-guarded secret as it is a local jewel beginning to shine.

It is a school that teaches "harmony" — not only in music, but in relationships, studies and life.

"What surprises me is the number of people who know nothing about us," says the principal, Christina Vierra McGill.

Founded in 1996, the school has 234 pupils, grades pre-kindergarten to eighth. And though it is often seen as a Catholic "feeder school" for Judge Memorial High School, there is much more interfaith action at the Madeleine than most people realize.

"Formal theology is taught by our teachers," says Vierra McGill. "But we also have Baptists, Jewish people, Latter-day Saints and others here."

And at a time when educational institutions are struggling, the Madeleine Choir School has been blessed with true believers as supporters — believers with deep pockets.

"Tuition is $5,600 per student," says the principal. "But it costs $8,000 to educate a student. The difference has to be made up. And we get $500,000 in donations to help with that."

Music forms the hub of school activities, though the "spokes," according to the principal, include courses in many other subjects. Language is a big component, with Spanish, Latin and French being taught with "rigor" (a favorite word among administrators). And children who can't sing can opt for a parallel track education that will take them into other disciplines.

There is also a strong out-reach program to the Hispanic community in the form of scholarships and other incentives. And the sports teams at the school have done especially well — though the screaming at the games does make choir directors hold their breath at times. For the signature of the Madeleine school will always be its music. At a time when many public schools are cutting back on the arts, the Madeleine School is going full speed ahead. For people there, art is not an embellishment on life. It's the essence of life.