On Dec. 14, Vivace's three fledgling choirs sang a few familiar carols, but for the most part, the program for their premiere concert was a mélange of music from around the world. The preparatory and intermediate choirs sang Appalachian and Ukrainian folk songs in English, while the more experienced members of the concert choir sang in Spanish, Greek and syncopated jazz rhythms.

"This is a great start," Vivace director Peggy Spool said after the concert. "Obviously, we like to see it grow because the more we grow, the more we'll be able to do. I look back on September, and I see how far we've come."

Spool's son Jeremy, 12, who sings in the concert choir, was a little tougher in his assessment of "Hine ma Tov," a traditional Jewish klezmer piece sung in Hebrew. "We were sharp, but that's OK," he said of his choir's performance.

Vivace was born out of the ashes of the Willow Glen branch of Cantabile Children's Chorus, a program of Palo Alto's Baroque Choral Guild. Just three months after forming, the new chorus is 46 singers strong. Vocalists aged six to15 are divided into three different choirs based on their age and musical ability.

"It's a blend of kids with musical backgrounds and kids with no experience," said

Spool, who was also Cantabile's assistant director.

Spool said parents were instrumental in getting the chorus started. "Music is disappearing from our schools, and the parents said they didn't want to lose it," she added.

As Vivace's director, Spool employs the same Kodaly teaching methods she used with Cantabile. Based on the methods of 19th-century Hungarian composer Zoltan Kodaly, the choral program emphasizes music theory, ear training, combined choral and instrumental performance and a repertoire of folk and classical music. The aim of the Kodaly method is to make every child musically literate, using their voices as their primary musical instruments.

"Being able to sing can really change the way children study an instrument," Spool said in an earlier interview. "When they sit down to play the piano, it sounds more lyrical."

Concert choir member Sasha Foo, 12, said singing with Vivace has helped her piano and clarinet playing. She also enjoys the social aspect. "You get to know some really great people, and since I play instruments, I learn a lot musically," Foo said.

Vivace also creates performance opportunities for local youth, which Spool said haven't been readily available. "San Jose doesn't have enough cultural things going on" for children, she added. "We have an incredible community down here, and it's time we celebrate it."

Vivace Youth Chorus is signing up new singers for its spring semester, which begins Jan. 8, 2004. Rehearsals are held at Stone Church, 1108 Clark Way. For more information, call 408.979.9997.