Join the Greater Richmond Children's Choir!

Registration and Auditions for choir placement are held in May for the following season.

Those interested in joining the Entry Level Treble Choir do not have to audition, but parents and choristers are encouraged to attend one of the information sessions held in the spring.

Singers interested in auditioning for the intermediate and advanced GRCC choirs should prepare a simple song of their choice, accompanied or unaccompanied. (Accompanist will be provided at the audition if needed.) Assessment of music skills, voice range and level of desired commitment will determine choir placement.

To register and/or schedule an audition time, email grcchoir@gmail.com or call Managing Director Anne Williford at 804-201-1894.

Don't be nervous! There is a choir for you!

 

Guidelines for Choristers

Attendance

No ensemble or organization can operate successfully without the full and consistent cooperation of its members. The policies below must be followed:

  • Members are expected to attend all rehearsals, arriving and departing according to the rehearsal schedule for his/her choir. Constant tardiness or early departures are not acceptable.
  • Concerts are mandatory. Absence from a concert may result in expulsion from the program. Mandatory Rehearsals – These are clearly indicated on the detailed schedule and generally are scheduled immediately preceding a concert. If a chorister does not attend a mandatory rehearsal he/she may not be allowed to perform at the concert. Emergency absences should be reported to the Choir Conductor AS WELL AS the Managing Director.
  • Two excused rehearsal absences will be allowed per semester. Absences must be preceded by notice in writing or e-mail to the Conductor and Managing Director prior to the date to be missed. Emergency absences should be called into the Choir Director or Managing Director as soon as possible.
  • Cramming for exams is not an excusable absence. Please plan responsibly for academics.
  • On occasion, we receive invitations to perform after the calendar has been set. In such cases, we ask that you notify us of your availability as soon as possible so that a decision to confirm the performance can be made promptly.
  • In the event of snow or ice, any cancellation of choir rehearsal will follow the cancellation announcements of the VCU evening classes.

 

Rehearsals

       Children may be dropped off for rehearsal in the alley on the south side of Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, ONLY if a parent helper is present to oversee their entrance into the church. If the parent helper is not present, please park and walk your child inside. See PARKING below for very important information.

The Greater Richmond Children’s Choir repertoire is both challenging and extensive, so it is essential that every minute of available rehearsal time be used productively. Accordingly, choristers should:

  •             Arrive in plenty of time to check in and pick up new music and hand-outs
  •             Bring two sharpened pencils with eraser heads and all music to all rehearsals

       Rehearsals are times of serious work, study, and musical growth. It is a challenge to achieve high standards in such limited rehearsal time. Therefore it is vital to our program to accept only well-behaved students who are ready and willing to work, learn, and grow. Water bottles are acceptable, but food and other drinks are not allowed in the choir room, chapel or sanctuary. CHEWING GUM IS NEVER ALLOWED FROM ARRIVAL TO DEPARTURE IN ANY VENUE. Students may socialize before and after rehearsals, and at break times. Chatting at other times is not allowed.

 

Folders

       Each student will be assigned a music folder. Choristers will be responsible for having their music folder at each rehearsal. THIS IS A MUST! In order to mark musical directions, they should also bring two sharpened pencils; absolutely no pens. The folders and the music are the property of GRCC, and the cost of lost or damaged music must be reimbursed to GRCC. To protect the music, it is recommended that the paper music folder and music be placed inside your own folder, preferably plastic (or another sturdy material.)

 

Handouts and Email

       We have found the best method for communicating the details of choir attire, schedules and other information is by email and by sending letters home from rehearsal with the student. Ask your child after each rehearsal for any handouts he or she received that day. It is difficult to remember to deliver a letter after a long rehearsal. If your child is going to be absent, arrange with someone to bring that day’s communications and rehearsal information to you and your chorister.

       We use email to communicate information that must be communicated between meetings. If you give us an email address, please be sure it is accurate and that you check your email frequently. If you do not have email, please ask another parent in the choir to call you with email details.

 

Parent Assistance

       The GRCC has benefited each season from an active group of parent volunteers. We are grateful for your involvement in making rehearsals productive. We ask that each family take on a few rehearsals throughout the season during which you will be asked to perform the following duties:

  • Arrive fifteen minutes early to wait in the alley for children who are being dropped off
  • Wait after rehearsal until the last student is picked up.

       After rehearsal, choristers are escorted to the alley on the south side of the church where parents may pick up their child in a carpool line. A parent helper schedule will be sent home after the first rehearsal in September. Please make note of your assigned dates; if you are unable to fulfill that duty on the assigned date, please find a substitute. We appreciate your attention to this detail. This is a matter of safety, and it is very important that you make every effort to pick up your child promptly.

 

Discipline

       One of the goals of GRCC is to help choristers develop and maintain self discipline. In the case of a child’s chronic misbehavior, we will notify the parents. If the discipline problem persists, the chorister will be removed from the choir with no refund of tuition.

 

Practice at Home

All choristers are required to practice at home for at least 20 minutes per day, six days each week. This time can be spent in the following ways:

  • Sing in front of a mirror so that you can see as well as feel and hear that you are singing without unnecessary tension and with proper alignment.
  • Start with vocal warm ups to encourage free singing.
  • Practice singing text and rhythm on one note, then sing vocal line without text on an open vowel, then put everything together.
  • Choristers will be asked to work on individual trouble spots at home.
  • Notes must be learned and music must be memorized on the “assigned by” date.

 

Choir Attire

We have uniform outfits for the GRCC:

  • Girls: Uniform long black dress, to be ordered through the GRCC (Cost: $55) Black hose. Knee highs are fine.
  • Boys: Uniform black vest to be ordered through the GRCC (Cost: $30), black slacks, white shirt, black bowtie.
  • Both: Black close-toed shoes. No pointy heels and no heels higher than one inch!
  • Keep your hair out of your eyes.
  • Hair accessories, if any, must also be black.
  • Earrings, if any, must be small and must not sparkle.
  • Watches must not make noise.