Founded in 2004 by Dr. Cherry Dunn, the Columbus Girlchoir is a nonprofit, member- and community-supported choral arts organization for girls ages 9-18.

Girlchoir offers training in vocal technique, choral style, vocal health, and music fundamentals, while stressing a commitment to performing traditional music with understanding and excellence.

Membership is by audition and is open to girls in the Golden Triangle area of northeast Mississippi, without regard to race, creed, or national origin. Auditions are held twice yearly.

Singing in Girlchoir builds self-confidence, concentration, inner discipline, teamwork, and a lifelong love of making music. The vocal training afforded by Girlchoir also prepares singers to apply for college choral scholarships and sing in college choirs, as well as pursue careers in music. Columbus Girlchoir provides a unique opportunity for young women and girls to expand their musical horizons through classical music training.

The Columbus Girlchoir serves the community by bringing together singers from more than 17 schools, plus home-schooled students.

Scholarships are available based on need.

The Columbus Girlchoir performs Christmas and Spring concerts, as well as performances for local churches, schools, civic groups, and nursing homes. The singers learn a diverse repertoire, from classical and sacred anthems to spirituals, music theatre, and authentic international folk songs. A primary goal of the choir is engaging girls in quality choral singing in a friendly, nurturing atmosphere where they can connect with each other and the community.

Columbus Girlchoir singers have been accepted into the honor choir Treble Song, sponsored by the Mississippi Girlchoir, for the past 10 years.

Tina Morgan is Director of the Junior Choir, and the Music Teacher at Columbus Christian Academy.. The Senior Girlchoir was a featured choir at the Crescent City Choral Festival in New Orleans in 2009, 2011 and 2015, in addition to being the artists-in-residence choir for the Choral Music Institute in Elon, North Carolina in 2010.

Our  Accompanist is Ms. Ellen Hawkins. She is a graduate of Blue Mountain College and holds a Masters in Organ from the University of Southern Mississippi. Ellen serves as organist at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and is also the accompanist for the Columbus Choral Society in addition to the Girlchoir. 

The Senior Girlchoir was invited to sing at Carnegie Hall in New York City in May 2013 with nationally known Director Cheryl Dupont, where they were joined by other treble choirs from across the country.

Twenty-six singers performed in New York’s Carnegie Hall on May 25, 2018, after receiving an invitation from Reese Norris of Hernando, MS. This concert was Mr. Norris’ conducting debut in Carnegie and the Girlchoir was honored to be a part of it.

Gracyn Clark, Sarah Pierce, Emily Machen, and Bertha Mireles attended the 2020 Mississippi Girlchoir Treble Song Honor Choir, held in Jackson in February.

First United Methodist Church sponsors the choir by providing rehearsal space free of charge.

The Columbus Girlchoir is funded in part by a grant from the Columbus Arts Council. Persons interested in providing scholarships and financial assistance to the Girlchoir should contact Dr. Dunn at 662-574-1517, cherrywdunn@gmail.com, or Columbus Girlchoir, P. O. Box 8186, Columbus, MS 39705. Columbus Girlchoir is a 501c3 organization and tax-deductible checks should be made payable to Columbus Girlchoir.