The Program

The Milwaukee Children’s Choir consists of five choir levels: Prelude, Concert, Cantorei, Chamber Cantorei and the Milwaukee Youth Chorale. Each choir rehearses weekly with extra rehearsals scheduled as needed before concerts. Enrollment is by audition and is for the entire season (September through May). We also audition new singers in January, for February through May.

Auditions

Open auditions are held in May, June, August and January for singers ages 6-18. Children who wish to be considered for Cantorei or Chamber Cantorei (advanced treble choirs) should audition in May or June. The Prelude Choir does not require a formal audition, but children and parents are requested to schedule a short informal interview and musical evaluation. Auditions may be scheduled at other times during the year at the discretion of the instructor. For information contact the MCC office at 414.221.7040 or you may send an email to mcc@milwaukeechildrenschoir.org.

Below you will find a short description of the audition process at each MCC choir level.

Tuition

The Milwaukee Children's Choir aims to represent the entire Greater Metropolitan Milwaukee area. We encourage participation from children of all economic backgrounds. Our tuition is set at a low rate, in order to fulfill our vision of representing the entire community and serving as many children as possible.

Tuition is applied toward the cost of instruction, administration, facilities, and materials. In addition to tuition, a one-time $30 fee is charged upon enrollment, and choir members are asked to provide their own uniforms. The Milwaukee Children's Choir provides financial assistance to qualified applicants.

• Prelude Choir 07-08 $ 325
• Concert Choir 07-08 $ 400
• Cantorei 07-08 $ 400
• Chamber Cantorei 07-08 $ 400
• Milwaukee Youth Chorale 07-08 $ 400

The Choirs

Prelude Choir

Sherry Cummisford (Director Prelude South); Amanda Shoemaker (Director Prelude East and West); Ellen Shuler (Prelude Coordinator and Director Prelude North); Roxanne Trump-Miles (Director Prelude Central).

Prelude Choir is a beginning choral experience for children entering grades 1-3. The young singer is introduced to choral singing through vocal development, part-singing, and music reading while learning a repertoire of music for performance. Groups are limited to approximately 25 children and instruction is based on creative, child-centered, age-appropriate activities. One hour classes are scheduled weekly at several locations throughout the metropolitan Milwaukee area. Prelude Choir performs several times during the year.

What to expect in a Prelude Choir Audition: We ask you to tell us a little about yourself. We’ll have you sing a few notes and a short song. You don’t need to bring any music with you. We’ll ask you to read a poem. And we’ll talk to your parents about Prelude Choir, and we’ll want you to listen and ask questions you might have. Our goal is to make the audition fun, because we want you to come sing with us!

Concert Choir

Charyl Granatella (Concert Choir Coordinator and Director Concert East, West and Central); Ellen Shuler (Director Concert North). Accompanist: Amanda Carnahan.

Concert Choir is for children in grades 4-8 and typically includes older beginners and children who have graduated from the Prelude Choir program. 90 minute weekly rehearsal instruction focuses on expanding vocal range and tone quality, developing music reading skills, and polishing performance skills through unison, 2- and 3-part singing. Concert Choir performs often throughout the year.

What to expect in a Concert Choir Audition: We ask you a bit about yourself. We do a warm up, so we can see how high and how low you sing. If you brought a song to sing, we will hear that. Otherwise, you’ll just sing a few lines of any song you know and like. We’ll play some notes and have you sing them back. We do that with clapping too. You’ll read a poem or a paragraph that we give you, so we can hear your speaking voice. And you’ll do a bit of “music reading” — don’t worry if you don’t know how to read music, we will teach you this in choir. Our goal is to make you feel at ease in the audition, and to know where to place you as a singer.

Cantorei

Ellen Shuler, Cantorei Director. Accompanist: Maria Koester.

Cantorei is an experienced treble choir comprised of students in grades 4-9. Members continue to develop music reading and theory skills. Cantorei performs frequently at a professional level. Members are selected on the basis of audition and perform music in up to 4 parts. They are expected to show disciplined, polished performance skills. Singers are expected to fulfill choir responsibilities in a committed and professional manner. Children who wish to be considered for Cantorei should audition during May or June.

What to expect in a Cantorei or Chamber Cantorei Audition: We ask you a bit about yourself. We have you sing ascending and descending scales with the piano to check your singing range. You’ll sing the first stanza of a familiar song. You’ll echo sing melodic and rhythmic patterns, and sight-read melodic and rhythmic patterns. You do NOT need to bring a prepared song or an accompanist. Our goal is to determine which choir would benefit you most as a singer.

Chamber Cantorei

Emily Crocker, Chamber Cantorei Director and MCC Artistic Director. Accompanist: Maria Koester.

Chamber Cantorei was formed in 06-07 to accommodate the growing number of Cantorei singers and an ever growing performance schedule. Chamber Cantorei is a premiere treble choir comprised of students in grades 6-12. Members sing the most demanding MCC repertoire. They continue to develop music reading and theory skills. Chamber Cantorei performs frequently at a professional level. Members are selected on the basis of experience, commitment and audition. They perform music in up to 4 parts. They are expected to show disciplined, polished performance skills. Singers are expected to fulfill choir responsibilities in a committed and professional manner. Children who wish to be considered for Chamber Cantorei must have had at least two years of Cantorei experience, and should audition during May or June.

What to expect in a Cantorei or Chamber Cantorei Audition: We ask you a bit about yourself. We have you sing ascending and descending scales with the piano to check your singing range. You’ll sing the first stanza of a familiar song. You’ll echo sing melodic and rhythmic patterns, and sight-read melodic and rhythmic patterns. You do NOT need to bring a prepared song or an accompanist. Our goal is to determine which choir would benefit you most as a singer.

Milwaukee Youth Chorale

Raymond Roberts, Director. Accompanist: Amanda Carnahan.

The Milwaukee Youth Chorale is a choir comprised of young men and women who are experienced singers entering grades 9-12. The ensemble studies and performs outstanding choral literature of many styles and time periods. Most of the music that the choir performs is advanced high school/college-level repertoire. Singers are expected to be strong contributors and leaders in their school choirs. The MYC performs a major choral/orchestral work each year with the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra. Members are selected on the basis of audition.

What to expect in a Milwaukee Youth Chorale Audition: We ask you a bit about yourself and your interest in Youth Chorale. We have you sing ascending and descending patterns with the piano to check your singing range. You’ll echo sing melodic and rhythmic patterns. You’ll sing a prepared song of your choice. No accompaniment will be provided, but MCC staff may add accompaniment, or you may be asked to sing your piece a cappella.

Edited on: July 22, 2007