Vision and Philosophy of Cary Children’s Concert Choir and Cary Youth Chorale
Since its first years, Concert Singers of Cary has planned to establish auxiliary choirs to serve various populations in the community. This was re-affirmed by the Board of Directors at a 1997 retreat and in early 2000 with the adoption of a five-year strategic plan. Under the leadership of former Assistant Conductor Stephen J. Mulder, planning began in earnest in late 1999 for a program serving children in grades 3 through 6 and began in September 2000. The choir was named Cary Children’s Concert Choir (C4). In the Fall of 2009 the program was expanded to include a new choir for older singers in grades 6 through 9, called the Cary Youth Chorale (CYC).
If there is one thing that defines Cary and its community, it is children and families with children. The creation of a children’s chorus to perform alone and occasionally with the adult chorus has several benefits:
* It involves a greater share of the community
* It allows parents in the chorus to encourage similar musical enrichment in their children’s schedules
* It allows us to educate young people and their parents in the value of arts programs
* It allows us to expose children to new sounds and new literature
In contrast to many community groups that are auditioned and highly selective, it is the goal of this organization to be as inclusive as possible. Auditions will be required for acceptance (with a parent present during the audition) and children are only excluded from participation under the most extreme circumstances. Our mission is to provide young participants with all of the skills and experiences that are conducive to life-long music-making.
Who Can Join?
The choirs are open to singers in grades 3 though 9 (typically ages 8 through 14). C4 includes singers in grades 3 through 6 and CYC grades 6 through 9. Sixth-graders are encouraged to sing in both groups. No prior singing experience is necessary. Auditions are required for acceptance (with a parent present during the audition), but children will only be excluded from participation only under the most extreme circumstances. There are no restrictions on residence.
How to Enroll in the Choirs
At present, we are accepting statements of interest and requests for application for Spring 2012. To do this please contact Roberta Thomason at (919) 319-6534 or C4Director@concertsingers.org. We will return an acknowledgment within a few days along with pertinent information.
Tuition
C4 and CYC charge semester dues or “tuition” to pay for expenses incurred, currently $135 per semester for membership in one choir. Tuition for sixth-graders who sing in both choirs is $200 per semester. The program purchases all music and folders, which belong to the groups. The members are responsible for providing the necessary uniform to be used in performance. Scholarship assistance is available on a needs basis.
Rehearsals
- When: Tuesdays 5:30-7:00 PM
- C4: 5:30-6:30 PM
- CYC: 6:00-7:00 PM
- Where: Greenwood Forest Baptist Church in Cary.
The 2012 Spring Semester:
- January 3 — Auditions for new singers, 5:30-7:00 PM
- January 10 — First rehearsal and parent meeting, 5:30 PM
- March 8 — Pre-Show Music, Vienna Boys’ Choir Concert, Cary Arts Center, 7:00 PM
- March 25 — CYC: Ladies’ Tea, Greenwood Forest Baptist Church, 1:00 PM
- April 3 — Traditional Spring Break, no rehearsal
- April 14 — USO Fundraiser, Carolina Preserves, Cary
- May 1 — Jordan Oaks Retirement Living Concert, 7:00 PM
- May 5 — Concert at Battleship North Carolina, Wilmington
- May 8 — Dress rehearsal
- May 11 — Spring Concert, 7:00 PM
