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Frequently Asked Questions
Address: World Children's Choir 4022 Hummer Road, Suite 9 Annandale, VA 22003 703-883-0920 • 703-448-0973 (fax) Where and when was the Choir established? Is
the Choir affiliated with a religious or What are some memorable moments & events? What
are the Choir's organizational goals What are the Choir's objectives, programs, activities, and program goals? What
are the different divisions of the Choir? How does the Choir carry out its mission? What
is unique and important about the Choir’s Who are the Choir's Directors? Is
membership in the World Children’s Choir How old does my child have to be to join? Who will enjoy singing in the Choir? What are the benefits for my child? May parents attend rehearsals? What do parents say about the Choir? What kind of music do you sing? What style of singing is taught in rehearsals? Where are the rehearsals, and concerts held? How much are tuition and fees for the 2007/08 season? Do
you offer discounts for families with What are your financial policies?
Please contact us if you have other questions, or would like to be referred to a parent of one of our singers. |
When and where was the Choir established? The World Children’s Choir was incorporated in McLean, Virginia in February, 1990. An application for 501 (c) (3) status was filed with the IRS in January, 1990. Preliminary approval was granted in July, 1990. The Choir’s final approval as a tax exempt, not-for-profit corporation was received in April,1995. Who founded the Choir? The Choir was founded by it’s current artistic director, Sondra Harnes with Rosalind Paterson, President, and Judith Penniman, Chief Financial Officer. Why was the Choir begun? The Choir owes its creation to the spirit of glasnost. In December 1989, just weeks after the Berlin Wall was torn down, the Soviet Union’s Red Army Chorus sang at the Kennedy center. Their heartfelt performance of “God Bless America” was an electrifying moment that few in the Opera House or the TV audience are likely to forget. It was the emotional reaction of the Concert Hall audience to this astounding promise of international friendship through song that led choir founder Sondra Harnes to form the World Children’s Choir. In that moment, she had a vision of children from all over the world singing together for peace. Is the Choir affiliated with any religious or other organizations? The World Children’s Choir is an independent 501 (c) (3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code, and is not affiliated with any religious organizations or other institutions. WCC members include children from many different faiths, cultures and countries. Who funds the Choir? The Choir’s operations are supported in part by grants from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, Dallas Morse Coors Foundation for the Performing Arts, ExxonMobil Foundation, and the Starbucks Foundation. Additional funding comes from contributions from individual donors, fund raising projects, compact disc sales, performance fees, concert ticket sales, and singer tuition. What is the Choir’s vision? Through song, children of many cultures and nations come together. They sing of friendship, peace, understanding, and caring for one another and the planet; they sing of hope. WCC's vision song, We Must Dream, expresses the vision perfectly. We Must Dream We must dream of a world safe for children, Life has blessed us and life is good to us; We must care that a child can go hungry, That love unites us and love provides for us, We will dream of a world safe for children, Life has blessed us and life is good to us; © 2004 James Selway What is the mission of the choir? The World Children's Choir serves as a voice for children worldwide — giving voice to the interests of all children, celebrating cultural diversity through music, promoting positive international relations, and asking people to work together to create a peaceful, healthy world for children. Through singing, WCC members explore musical content, and use music, art, and special activities to mediate cross-cultural differences and become peacemakers. The children learn how music and art expresses emotion, creates shared experiences, bridges differences, tells stories, produces beauty and enriches others. The World Children’s Choir is concerned about the children of the world and the future they face. By pursuing our mission we believe that we contribute to building a world of peaceful respect, friendship, cooperation, and prosperity among nations. We believe that working together to produce beautiful music and other kinds of art enables the children to create friendships based on mutual understanding and respect. By bringing children from many cultures and nations together in song today, we can sow the seeds of a more peaceful world tomorrow. The theme song of the choir, Together We Can Change the World, expresses the dream these children hold of “a bright and new day…a world that we cherish…a world of hope and promise.” And that dream is within reach, “for there is nothing we can’t do when side by side. The children invite all those who hear them singing to join in the song and the dream. We believe that “miracles will happen” - that it is possible to build a world where children are protected and provided with health care, nutritious food, education, and opportunities for artistic expression. The Choir’s angelic voices remind people of what is important. Adults are inspired to work together to build a better world. What are the Choir’s beliefs?
What is the Choir's history? The World Children’s Choir was founded in 1990 by Sondra Harnes, Artistic Director, Rosalind Patterson, Operations Coordinator, Judith Penniman, Treasurer. Ms. Harnes heard the Russian Red Army Chorus sing God Bless America at the Kennedy Center, shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Moved by the emotional audience response and the delighted smiles on the (previously stern) faces of the soldiers and their conductor, she was inspired to found the World Children’s Choir to celebrate international friendship and to contribute to world peace. As part of its mission, the Choir raises money for children’s causes, and performs in concerts and charity events benefiting such organizations as UNICEF, Childhelp USA, Save the Children, and the United Nations Refugee Educational Trust. The World Children’s Choir has been appointed to the Artists Roster of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Performances have been given for three US presidents (George Bush, William Clinton, George W. Bush), Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, the United States Justice Department, Queen Noor of Jordan, Queen Sofia of Spain, Mikhail Gorbachev, former president of the Soviet Union, and Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations, and in national and international radio and television broadcasts. What are some memorable moments and events?
What are the Choir's organizational goals for the 2007/08 season?
What are the Choir's objectives, programs, activities, and program goals? I. Highest Quality Vocal Arts Education: Enabling every child who wants to sing in WCC to do so and receive professional training in the vocal arts and performance opportunities. A. Artistic Program: Professional Children’s Choir Provides professional training in the vocal arts, performance opportunities, vocal coaching, choreography, and cultural sharing; volunteer program for singers' parents Activities: Rehearsal and performance training GOALS
B. Scholarship Program Full membership in WCC for children from financially disadvantaged families. Includes tuition waivers, concert and uniform attire, music, recordings, and other supplies; buddies for new singers and their parents; participation in all WCC artistic and cultural activities
C. Performing Arts at the Heart of Literacy Program Free for children from low-income families; sliding scale fees for children whose families can afford to pay something. Brings children from linguistic minorities and economically disadvantaged children into an interactive program with WCC member families. Rehearsals and workshops include singing, African drumming, movement, arts and crafts, drama, dance, conflict resolution training and skill building games and multi-modality approaches to expression. One core focus will be strengthening literacy skills through musical expression. Literacy is understood within the program concept to include strengthening reading skills, but equally as important, enhancing the overall ability of children to communicate, and empowering them to communicate effectively. One of the teachers who will participate currently uses drumming as a tool to enhance literacy. Participating children will perform in WCC concerts and The Mason Festival of the Arts. WCC is designing this program as a “model” program and will have a volunteer expert evaluator’s assistance to document the program for replication and monitor results. Activities Monthly full day program that includes singing, dancing, drumming, art, and special peace/tolerance activities. Participant Goals
Program Goal:
II. Cultural Diplomacy – Promoting Friendship, Peace and Prosperity: Raising awareness of the needs of children world wide, and raise money for children living in poverty, refugee children, street children A. Voices for Children Program Mission The Voices for Children Program mission is to ignite a miracle of international friendship and world peace through visual and performing arts by children from the global community, to generate funds to advance and support the causes of children in need worldwide Activities Internet Concerts Goals
B. Voices for Children Arts/Peace Camp The 2005 Camp was held in Timisoara, Romania in cooperation with the Timisoara City Government, Timisoara House of Culture, and Friendship Ambassadors Foundation, a non-profit, tax exempt organization promoting educational cultural exchange, located in Greenwich, Connecticut, www.faf.org. Camp activities bring children together from diverse cultures and countries to use many art forms to visualize a peaceful world, seek new paths to peace, understanding and compassion through art and culture, and to explore skills needed to build peace. Peace springs from the hearts of people. The camp is a place for young people to share their concerns and fears and their hopes and visions for the future with students age 10 – 18 from around the world. In 2005, twenty-five participating children were from Canada, Malaysia, Romania, and the United States. Gifted teachers worked with the children to introduce them to singing, dance, theater, the visual arts, and drumming. In Timsoara, American, Canadian, and Malaysian children learned Romanian folk dances, listened to local jazz and popular music, and explored Romanian history and culture. To Romanian children, host communities and organizations, the WCC brought: children singing opera; songs from American and other cultures; the expressive art of West African drumming and dancing; use of collage to characterize themes that challenge and build peace across diverse cultures; and unique forms of choreography that add a kinesthetic dimension to many kinds of music. Days were filled with classes, rehearsals, discussions, negotiations and interpretation across cultures, and the hard work of children working to create beauty, while at the same time working to understand the unfamiliar forms of communication and artistic expression that evolve in different cultures. Around the edges of the work, children and adults played, toured the countryside, and socialized. Concerts and informal performances were scheduled in settings ranging from an orphanage to the city square. The 2007 camp will be held in the Washington, DC area and will add special peace education activities. WCC has a special interest in bringing together participants from countries that are in conflict with one other. A partnership is being developed with Rock Creek International School in Washington, DC for the 2007 Camp. Outcomes for the Voices for Children Arts/Peace Camp WCC desires to encourage creativity in an environment of self-esteem and mutual respect that helps to develop the many benefits of artistic and peace training for children — more creative, imaginative, expressive, confident, self-reliant and critically thinking individuals who develop increased empathy, more capable and cooperative problem solving, leadership skills, cognitive growth, the fostering of social bonds and improved self-sufficiency. If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children. Mahatma Gandhi A lasting victory in the war against terror depends on educating the world’s children, because educated children are much more likely to embrace the values that defeat terror. Laura Bush C. World Children’s Festival click here for information What are the different divisions of the Choir? What do they do? The World Children’s Choir is a professional children’s Choir that gives four season concerts in December, March, and May, and sings by invitation at high profile national and international events. Admission to Opera Ensemble, Bella Voce, Concert and Junior Choirs is by audition only. An audition is not required for Friends Chorus. Admission to the Performing Arts at the Heart of Literacy Program is by recommendation from a school or private music teacher or classroom teacher. Rehearsals are held in northern Virginia. With current and past singers from over forty countries, the Choir is truly a microcosm of our global village. Members of Opera Ensemble, Bella Voce, Concert Choir, Junior Choir, Friends Chorus, and Performing Arts at the Heart of Literacy Program sing in four season public concerts. Bella Voce, Concert Choir, and Junior Choir singers perform in additional special events during the season (September through mid-June). The exceptional training and performing experience of the Choir makes it possible for members to participate in performances of wonderful operettas by Gilbert and Sullivan, Humperdinck’s opera, Hansel and Gretel, and selected scenes from Mozart’s opera, The Magic Flute. The Friends Chorus is a non-auditioned ensemble that is open to parents and grandparents of WCC singer; children and teens (ages 8 - 18) from the community who are not members of one fo WCC's ensembles; WCC adult volunteers; and adults from the community who love to sing. The Friends Chorus sings in WCC season concerts. Enrollment is for a) Monthly rehearsals and season concerts only or b) Weekly and Monthly Rehearsals and season concerts. Repertoire for Friends Chorus includes international folk songs sung in many languages, environmental and peace songs, and choreographed show tunes. The West African Drumming Ensemble is made up of singers enrolled in Opera Ensemble, Bella Voce, Concert Choir, Junior Choir, Friends Chorus, and Performing Arts at the Heart of Literacy Program. Rehearsals are held once a month during the school year. Four additional rehearsals are held late-May through early June to prepare for a West African Culture Concert in June. If there is sufficient interest, a drumming rehearsal will be added for adults. The Performing Arts at the Heart of Literacy Program, free for students from financially disadvantaged families, includes instruction in singing, West African drumming and dancing, Broadway show tune choreography, peace games, and peace collage. All students are trained in the Italian Bel Canto style of singing, which nurtures the development of a solo quality singing voice. Bella Voce singers are required to take private lessons.
Where does the Choir sing? The World Children’s Choir has been appointed to the Artists Roster of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and has performed at benefit concerts and awards ceremonies for such organizations as UNICEF, the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, and the Children’s Defense Fund. The Choir has performed numerous times at the White House, Capitol Hill, the Kennedy Center, the World Bank, the IMF, as well as many area embassies. Concert tours have been made in New York City, Scotland, Canada, and Ireland. Season concerts and special event performances are given in the Washington, DC area. How does the Choir carry out its mission? Providing children of many cultures and nations with an exceptional level of musical training and performing opportunities builds self-confidence, appreciation for the arts, respect and appreciation for other cultures, and many other benefits. Teaching singers to embrace and model social responsibility by using their voices to support various fund-raising activities, thereby also supporting the Choir’s scholarship program and children’s causes around the world; by performing benefit concerts; by performing for world leaders; and contributing part of the proceeds from recording sales to various children's charities. Traveling nationally and internationally and hosting choirs from abroad promotes international friendship. Through the Scholarship Program, we reach out to diverse communities in our richly multi-cultural metropolitan area to invite participation in the Choir by children who would otherwise not have the opportunity. We help our singers understand and celebrate the diversity of the many cultures represented in our schools and community. The ability to work with different people from different cultures will remain with them as they mature to adulthood. Up to 25% of the Choir members receive needs-based scholarships, and no qualified child has ever been turned away for their inability to pay the tuition. Every new season, we endeavor to increase our reach and the percentage of children receiving financial aid. The choir members also support the scholarship fund by conducting several fund-raising activities each season. WCC gives concerts and schedules fundraisers to raise funds for its scholarship program and special projects. WCC raised $5,500 for the children of Morolica, a village in Honduras which was destroyed by Hurricane Mitch; $3,700 for the Kgabo Mission Clinic which is dedicated to treating adults and children with blood diseases in the poorest region of South Africa. Over 1,200.00 Irish Punts for refugees was raised in Ireland during WCC's Ireland Concert Tour. A benefit concert held as part of the Concerts for a Cause, sponsored by the Old Presbyterian Meeting House in Alexandria, VA raised $1,800 for Kenyan AIDS orphans. The Choir has also produced four CDs in support of national and international children’s causes: And the Angels Sang, which was broadcast throughout North America, Europe and Asia as part of a joint campaign with the CARE Foundation to raise funds for Bosnian relief; For the Beauty of the Earth, produced as part of a joint project with the United Nations Environment Programme and the Environmental Protection Agency to raise awareness of environmental issues among children; With One Dream, a CD single of a beautiful song written on September 13, 2001 in response to the tragedies of September 11, 2001; We Must Dream, $5/CD from retail sales will go to an International Children's Charity. What is unique and important about the Choir’s work? How is it different from other choirs? The World Children’s Choir has been appointed to the Artists Roster of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts. The Choir's Artistic Directors are professional performers. Operatically trained as soloists, they received their performance degrees from internationally renowned conservatories of music. They are artist master teachers who are also recognized for their brilliant work with and dedication to children. The Choir assumes social responsibility for our world’s children, and we regularly raise money for children in need throughout the world. Participation in Choir activities provides a rare opportunity for families to make music together while also working together to help make the world a better place for everyone. The Choir provides professional vocal training that nurtures the development of a heart-warming solo quality vocal instrument. Its repertoire is of an exceptionally high level of technical and musical difficulty. Statistical evidence by regional and national organizations continues to demonstrate how important music is for children, particularly in early childhood development and education. We begin working with children as early as age four. WCC singers learn to sing with vibrato. Vibrato is a small, even fluctuation of pitch which is very pleasing to the ear and a quality of solo vocal technique which gives character, color, and excitement to the singing voice. It is the conveyor of emotion and beauty that goes right to the heart and soul of the listener. Most choirs teach children to sing in a choral style where everyone strives to blend, to produce the same kind of sound. Singers trained in this choral style usually are not taught to develop and use vibrato. The number and venue of performances given. The angelic and heartfelt voices of the Choir visibly moves the hearts of politicians, diplomats, dignitaries, and people from many nations. The more we can do to bring music into the lives and hearts of our children, the more opportunities we provide them for learning and growth. The Choir’s repertoire includes songs of love and peace thus affirming and supporting the boundary-less world of the child. Our children, and the children they reach, are our future. It is our obligation to teach them, and to provide opportunities for them to lead by their own example. Who are the Choir's Directors? Sondra Harnes (WCC founder, president, and artistic director) and her husband, James Selway (WCC associate director) both studied at the Juilliard School in New York City and earned their Master of Music degrees from The Catholic University of America. For the past 25 years, they have maintained a private studio in Falls Church, Virginia where they teach voice and Suzuki piano. In addition, both have performed and led workshops extensively throughout the United States and Canada. Mr. Selway, a baritone and an accomplished pianist, also specializes in directing and producing musical theater productions involving young people. In additon to being the WCC associate director, Mr. Selway is also a composer having written and arranged instrumental and choral works as well as many choral pieces for the World Children's Choir. Ms. Harnes, a lyric soprano, has had an impressive career as a soloist and conductor. She oversees all aspects of World Children’s Choir operations, teaches private and group lessons, and conducts rehearsals, performances, and special events appearances. Now her focus is on children: "My personal mission is to train children to sing beautifully and artistically, so they may open the hearts of people everywhere to what is possible if we come together as one family to make a better world. Jim and I firmly believe in the power of music and song to bring children and communities together, to celebrate diversity, and help us become better citizens. We truly believe the angelic voices of the children singing their beautiful songs of love and peace can help us break through our differences, and inspire all of us to work together to build a peaceful, healthy world for all children." Is membership in the World Children’s Choir just for talented children? We believe that, raised in the proper environment, talent can be developed in any child. Just as flowers in the garden grow, blossoming in their own time and season, so can children grow beautiful singing voices. We believe that within every child lies the voice of an angel. Utilizing the Italian Bel Canto style of singing we work with the child to reveal a beautiful voice. During this process which takes place over a number of years, the child learns and practices breathing, posture, vocal, diction, and speaking exercises as well as performance skills which nurture and develop a solo quality voice. We also teach the children that we can all use our voices to help create a peaceful, healthy world. How old does my child have to be to join? The Choir offers rehearsals and performing opportunities for children age four through eighteen years Who will enjoy singing in the Choir? Children and young people who love to sing and perform, aspire to achieve a high level of vocal artistry, and who want to help make the world a better place by raising funds for children in need to help make the world a better place. What are the benefits for my child?
May parents attend rehearsals? An advance appointment is needed to attend one of the weekly rehearsals. Final rehearsals for the season concerts are closed. All parents are invited and encouraged to sing in the Friends Chorus. What do parents say about the Choir? WCC Parent Testimonials My perspective on the World Children’s Choir is as a parent of an artistic child. In a society that appears to value the arts less and less, opportunities for such children are extremely limited. In schools where it would be unthinkable not to have sports or physical education, the elimination of music classes and extracurricular music and arts programs are accepted with little more than sighs of resignation. Like so many of the other families we have met, we found the World Children’s Choir and, as we hoped, it has given my daughter unparalleled musical education coupled with an outlet for her drive to perform and to make music. But it has given her so much more. She has gained an understanding and respect for other cultures. She has met and befriended children from many different and diverse backgrounds. Most importantly, she has become aware of the world that she lives in and she has learned that she can and should strive to make a difference in the lives of children in circumstances far different than her own. If she never sings another note, her feet have been set firmly on the path to becoming a citizen into whose stewardship the world will be well placed. Adam has developed some wonderful friendships through song. His WCC comrades will undoubtedly be lifetime friends. His interest in music has grown and developed over the last few years since Adam joined the choir. He has been exposed to a variety of international music sung in many languages such as English, French, German, Arabic and Hebrew. Among the memorable places he has sung are the performances at the Kennedy Center, The White House and the National Mall. These experiences have enriched his life tremendously. The choir has been an asset to his confidence, disposition and quality of voice. Often he is asked to sing in front of an audience at a moment's notice. He always rises to the occasion and performs beautifully. We are very proud parents. As a parent, it is my joy to my daughter sing in WCC. We chose WCC for my daughter because of its superior quality in the music and of its unique mission. WCC’s members are united beyond any boundary among the people, and their harmony symbolizes a peaceful unity of the world. It is wonderful that my child enjoys and appreciates music through WCC and can contribute herself to make the world a little happier place. My daughter Robin was just seven years old when she joined the World Children’s Choir. Robin’s roots had begun in a worldly enough fashion She was born in the northern part of Russia – north of the Arctic Circle. I adopted her when she had just turned one year old. By seven, she was pretty much an all-American kid. And, like other children in this area, her world had become largely focused on the metropolitan DC area. She also loved to sing, and for that reason she joined the World Children’s Choir. Little did we know at the time how much more the choir would become than just a place to sing. The choir, we discovered, also became a place where many of Robin’s closest friendships were forged. Those included both boys and girls, of all ages, and from all over the metropolitan area. Indeed, many of the friendships have become family friendships, extending beyond Robin and her peers to family get-togethers. The choir, we discovered, also has allowed Robin’s focus to move beyond Northern Virginia and out into the world. She became more aware of the world through the choir’s activities. Early on after joining, for example, the choir gave a concert to raise money for a mission in Africa. The choir sang at the German Embassy shortly thereafter. She traveled to Ireland with the choir, touring the country and singing in its great cathedrals and at is colorful, local art festivals. At 8, Robin was the youngest touring member. She loved every minute of it, and I noticed how the older children took her under their wing. The next year, Robin had some real fun – singing before 10,000 people at the McDonald’s international convention in Las Vegas, where she and 6 other WCC singers were picked up at the airport in a stretch limousine and shared the stage with singers Josh Groban and Cher. The doors of experience continued to open. The choir sang at the lighting of the national Christmas tree on the mall. The choir sang at the first-ever National Kids’ Day. And the choir sang for UN head Kofi Anan. After I explained to her what the United Nations does before that event, Robin stated, “You know, Mom, that’s what I love about the choir. There is always something exciting going on.” There was one event that had special meaning for Robin. The choir was asked to sing at the Russian Embassy, when former President Gorbachev was visiting. Robin was asked to sing a solo, in Russian. I explained to Robin how President Gorbachev brought freedom (and therefore American adoptions) to Russia. Robin instantly understood the significance and asked Sondra if she could say a few words to Gorbachev. After the choir’s musical performance concluded, President Gorbachev joined the choir on stage. Robin presented Gorbachev with the choir’s “Voices for Children” award, honoring him for his contribution to freedom and peace for the world’s children. But first she spoke (in Russian and then in English) the words she had chosen for the occasion: “I’m from Russia. Thank you for making America and Russia friends.” President Gorbachev beamed and kissed her on the head. As the choir filed off the stage, Robin gave a little wave to Gorbachev. He winked back at her. It was their own private moment in a very public event. The Washington Post wrote a story about the event, focusing on Robin and the choir. Needless to say, Robin enjoyed the attention. And the press was good for the choir too. Part of her pleasure, I think, was that Robin was thrilled to have made a personal connection with this former Russian president who changed the world so dramatically. But I also think part of her pleasure was seeing that having a different background from her peers could be such a positive attribute. Through all of this, Robin’s voice has grown tremendously, under the teaching of Sondra Harnes. I am awestruck every time I hear Robin sing. Honestly. I just never thought a child could sing with bravado – until I heard the members of the World Children’s choir sing. And, it is not just Robin who can sing like this. I’ll never forget when we were on tour in Ireland. I was standing outside the chapel at Trinity College. Our concert was about to start and a professor was asking me what was going on. I explained to her that the World Children’s Choir from America was about to sing. The choir started to sing – that beautiful sound that only the choir can make, in this case augmented by the wonderful acoustics of the Trinity Chapel. The professor gasped and exclaimed, “But that cannot possibly be the sound of children’s voices, can it?” It can. It is. It is the World Children’s Choir. - Diane Hinson When are the rehearsals?
All singers rehearse together once a month on Saturday morning from 8:15 to 10:45 or noon. The Junior Choir is dismissed at 10:45 AM. Singers also attend Tuesday and Thursday evening rehearsals the week of each of the season concerts in December, March, and May. International Arts/Peace Camp – Summer 2008, details to be announced ALL SINGERS Children not yet matching pitches or singing in tune with others will be required to take private lessons before re-auditioning for the Choir. The WCC Parent/Singer Handbook provides information about singer and parental commitments, financial information, and the calendar of rehearsals and season concerts. Does the Choir travel? WCC singers enjoy visiting, hosting, rehearsing, and giving concerts with other choirs. WCC has hosted five choirs: a high school choir from Amherst, Massachusetts; the Brooklyn Children’s Ensemble; the Children’s Choir of Northern Jutland, Denmark; the Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus; and the Tucson Girls Chorus. Concert Tours
What kind of music do you sing? Opera Ensemble: The focus is on opera; other repertoire includes operetta, oratorio, madrigals, and chamber music. Bella Voce, Concert and Junior Choirs: Repertoire appropriate to the vocal and musical level of each Choir is selected from artistic arrangements of international folk songs (seventeen different countries at last count); art songs (Italian, German Lied, French Mélodie); opera (Hansel and Gretel by Humperdinck and The Magic Flute by Mozart), oratorio (Bach and Handel); operetta selections (Gilbert and Sullivan); choral music, inspirational songs of peace, environmental songs; choreographed Broadway show tunes Friends Chorus and Performing Arts at the Heart of Literacy Program students: artistic arrangements of international folk songs; choral music, inspirational songs of peace, environmental songs; choreographed Broadway show tunes Repertoire tapes or CDs are provided to aid in home practice. In December, the Choir sings traditional Western holiday music. All singers are expected to sing all music. What style of singing is taught in rehearsals? The Italian Bel Canto style of singing is taught. In this style of singing, the student will develop a beautiful, heartfelt sound…singing with vibrato, even scale, pure vowels, legato, and expression. Breathing exercises are be taught.In addition to vocal technique and rhythm studies, singers are coached on their appearance, artistic presentation, facial expression, and diction in English, Italian, French, German, and Spanish. The healthy, well trained voice has a range of 1 1/2 to 2 octaves. To develop sight reading skills, all singers are encouraged to take piano lessons and sight singing classes. The recommended instrument for singers who play in band or orchestra is flute. Where are the rehearsals and concerts held?
Location of Season Concert Week Rehearsals and Season Concerts for all How much are tuition and fees for the 2007/08 season? Scholarships are available for families whose gross annual income is $45,000 per year or less. Families may pay in full or elect a three or five-month payment plan.
Trial period payment is applied to annual tuition after sucessful completion of the Trial Period. Annual Tuition (Early Pay)
All Singers:
Bella Voce, Concert and Junior Choir members:
Do you offer discounts for families with more than one child? Tuition discounts are not given. Payment plans are offered. Do you offer scholarships? The Voices for Children Scholarship Program provides scholarships and concert attire for singers from families whose gross annual income is $45,000/year or less (excepting special circumstances):
Request information about applying for a scholarship How do we join? 1) Observe rehearsal and/or attend a season concert 2) Schedule an Audition 3) Upon recommendation from artistic director, enroll singer for one month trial period 4) After successful completion of trail period, submit registration materials and payment or scholarship application What happens at the audition? The audition is held as part of a small group voice lesson that will include four to five singers. The artistic director will vocalize your child in the group and individually. Other activities include matching pitches, clapping rhythms, and learning a new melody or song. Experienced singers may sing a song of their choice. Parents attend the audition and have an opportunity to ask questions. You will be notified about the result of your audition within one week. How do we register? After successful completion of trial period, complete, sign and return all registration materials and your payment: World Children's Choir What are your financial policies? Information about financial policies is provided with registration materials. |