JOIN US! Call to ALL Girls, & Boys who LOVE TO SING!
- ALL girls and Boys with unchanged voices, ages 9-18, can try out for placement in our Treble, Bel Canto and Concert Choruses.
- ALL BOYS with CHANGED voices can try out for our Young Men's Ensemble.
«Auditions are easy!
- No preparation or previous experience needed, just the LOVE OF SINGING!
- A simple individual placement hearing with Artistic Director, Joan Gregoryk is held to determine which ensemble is the best fit for the young singer.
- Young people are asked to sing a simple song such as "Happy Birthday" and follow pitch-matching and easy rhythm exercises.
- Placement hearings are held by appointment only, on selected dates in May and June.
- Please call (202) 237-1005 now to schedule an audition.
- Young singers will join for the 2013-2014 Season starting in September 2013
- Auditions are held at: Metropolitan Memorial United Metropolitan Church
3401 Nebraska Ave, NW Washington, DC 20016- on following dates:
- Thursday, May 30 from 4:00 to 7:30 pm - Saturday, June 1 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Saturday, June 8 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Thursday, May 30 from 4:00 to 7:30 pm
additional dates will be scheduled for the end of August- September 2013.
«Performing Ensembles
- TREBLE CHORUS is the beginning level choral ensemble for children approximately 9-13. Singers at this level have demonstrated an ability to match pitch and maintain their part in singing a two-part round. In this ensemble, young singers improve their unison singing skills and begin to sing two-part and three-part songs. Note reading, basic score reading, and basic vocal technique will also be developed. The choristers perform at a few concerts during the year.
Rehearsals are held once a week on Mondays from 4:30-6:10 pm at Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church.
- BEL CANTO CHORUS from the Italian for "beautiful singing" or "beautiful voices," is an intermediate ensemble to meet the music education needs of students who have had some singing experience and are ready to continue their musical development by experiencing more challenging repertoire, more advanced sight-singing and music reading materials with additional performance opportunities. This ensemble performs at concerts during the year.
Rehearsals are held twice weekly on Mondays from 6-7:30 pm at Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church & Wednesdays from 6-7:50 pm at Wisconsin Avenue Baptist Church.
- CONCERT CHORUS is the advanced level choral ensemble made up of singers who have established good vocal technique, are excellent sight-readers, and can sing independently in parts. Basic music theory, history and appreciation will be developed at this level. this ensemble performs at least four to six concerts a year. This ensemble performs frequently with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center or Music Center at Strathmore and with the many adult choral organizations in the area and participates in national and international tours every two to 3 years.
Rehearsals are held twice weekly on Mondays from 6:15-7:45 pm at Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church & Wednesdays, same time, at Wisconsin Avenue Baptist Church.
- YOUNG MEN'S ENSEMBLE is our NEW ensemble for young men with changed voices. This ensemble will debut at our Holiday concert and will sing two to three a capella pieces and one piece with our Chamber Ensemble (selected group from Concert Chorus). It will also perform at our Spring Concert.
Rehearsals are held twice a month, every 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month from 9 to 11 am at Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church «What Choristers Say ...
- " I like being able to take music seriously but still have fun. I always feel welcome at CCW."
- "My favorite concert is the Holiday Concert. I really like the sense of community I get from singing the carols with the audience."
- "We work together as a team and support one another as if we were brothers and sisters. I have never been part of something so special."
- "CCW imparted to me a great sense of discipline, and taught me the fundamental art in taking pride in what you do."
- "We performed professionally. We all thought of ourselves as normal students. It wasn't until the almost deafening applause that we realized we were different. Most of us were meant to sing and our wish to sing was fulfilled."
- "I love CCW because it gives me the chance to let go and to be free. It gives me a chance to express myself in a positive way."
- "Singing together makes for the closest of friendships, and I love being a part of that."
- "The feeling I get when I'm singing is joyful and it makes me feel good about myself."
- "This is one of those things that you will always remember. When I'm applying to colleges, I'm going to mention this; when I'm 80, I'll be able to say that I sang at Carnegie Hall."
«Membership
- CCW choristers represent over 100 public, private and home schools and come from many different communities in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.
«What Do Choristers Do?
- Perform: All choristers sing in at least four concerts a year, with the Concert Chorus performing more often. Our own self-produced concerts include our Holiday and Spring Concerts, as well as other local concerts. Special appearances have included singing at the Kennedy Center The White House, the U.S. State Department, and the Library of Congress.
- Learn: In an environment that is child-centered, nourishes personal and artistic growth and provides exciting performance opportunities, children learn about great music by singing it, while mastering the musicianship skills that allow them to experience the joy of singing with artistry and develop the self-discipline and confidence that will enhance many areas of their lives.
- Have Fun: Throughout the year, the Chorus has special events which let the choristers be together just to have fun, such as the retreats, pizza parties, and visiting choir events.
- Tours: Concert Chorus has participated in several national and international tours over the years, Bel Canto Chorus travels nationally and Treble Chorus has participated in local tours.
- Rehearse: Twice a week, most ensembles meet to rehearse. (except for Treble Chorus, Chamber Ensemble and Young Men Ensemble)
«Tuition
- Tuition covers over 175 hours of high caliber musical instruction and vocal training, choristers' music, supplies and activities, conductor's and accompanist's fees, and other chorus expenses. It does not cover uniforms, transportation or certain social activities.
Concert Chorus: Tuition is $1,300 for entire season; Bel Canto Chorus: Tuition is $1,250 for entire season; Treble Chorus: Tuition is $950 for entire season; Young Men's Ensemble: Tuition is $500 for entire season; - Discounts are granted when more than one child in the same family is in the Chorus.
«Treble Theory Class
- We provide a Treble Theory Class for those Treble choristers who are required to take it after an evaluation of their musicianship skills. It is fom 5:45 to 6:10 pm.The additional cost is $50 for the entire season.
«Scholarship Available
- We provide tuition scholarship to all qualified students with demonstrated financial needs. Call the Chorus Office for application. (Except for participation in the Young Men Ensemble)
«Other Expenses and Responsibilities
- Concert Uniforms: Choristers are responsible for buying their own concert uniforms as specified on the uniform information sheet handed out at the audition. This includes a formal concert uniform, rehearsal polo shirt and any other required uniform items necessary in each concert season. Choristers are also responsible for buying all tour uniform items.
- Concert Tickets: It is expected that each chorus family will attend our own Holiday Concert and Spring Concert each season, and families are encouraged to sell additional tickets to family, friends and others interested in the art of children's singing.
- Annual Giving Fund: Tuition covers only about one-third of our program expenses. Every fall, parents are asked to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Chorus.
- Major Chorus Benefit Event: Each year (Late February or March), the Chorus holds a major fundraising event. Chorus families are asked to support this event.
- Volunteering: Parents are expected to participate in some volunteer activities as described in the parent volunteer information provided at registration.
- Other Expenses: Tours are charged separately from other expenses.
«What Do Parents Do?
- Connecting families through song: All parents are invited and urged to be a part of their child's Chorus experience by attending concerts and other Chorus events throughout the year. Volunteer support from parents is essential to the successful operation of the Chorus.
- Volunteer opportunities: A volunteer sign-up sheet is provided to all chorus families at registration, indicating whether help is needed on a one-time basis or more frequently. In addition, each chorus family is expected to take a turn at late pick-up duty, staying after one or two rehearsals a year to see that all choristers have been picked up.
