Youth Choruses
AUDITIONS (ALL CHORUSES): SEPTEMBER 4 & 5, 2024, 4:30-6:00 PM
- Located in the Orchestra Iowa Building at 119 Third Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids.
- For more information, Call the Orchestra Iowa School office at (319) 366-8206, ext. 213
- If you miss the fall open audition dates, you can email Amy Hanisch (Discovery Chorus) or Kelsey Madsen (Harmony & Odyssey Choruses) before September 21st to schedule an audition
- Rehearsals begin on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
About Youth Choruses
Students in kindergarten through sixth grade have the opportunity to develop their innate joy of music making by performing with one of Orchestra Iowa School’s three youth choruses. Participants develop skills in choral singing by exploring a variety of choral repertoire.
Harmony Chorus
Children in kindergarten and first grade are invited to participate in Harmony, an exploratory choir designed to engage students in the joy of making music. Students work on the basics of pitch, tone-matching and breath control as they develop focus and learn the importance of working within a group. A variety of quality and fun literature is selected to build vocal skills and proficiency in unison singing and simple rounds. This chorus provides performance opportunities throughout the school year.
· Participants are encouraged to attend all rehearsals and performances and to practice their music at home.
· Students must audition to be accepted into the Harmony Choir.
· Auditioning students will be asked to sing “Happy Birthday.”
· Depending on class size, a second session of Harmony Chorus may be added after auditions.
| Ages: | Grades K-1 |
| Director: | Kelsey Madsen |
| Rehearsals: | Sundays, 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM |
| Tuition: | $155 – plus $10 fee for performance t-shirt |
| (Students provide their own black slacks or skirts and shoes.) |
Odyssey Chorus
Children in second and third grade are invited to participate in Odyssey Chorus, a preparatory choir designed to instill good vocal habits, beginning music reading and appropriate choir behavior. A variety of kid-friendly and educationally sound literature is selected to build vocal skills and proficiency in unison and part-reading. This chorus also aims to prepare singers for the Discovery Chorus and provides numerous performance opportunities throughout the school year.
Students wishing to be accepted into the Odyssey Chorus should prepare “My Country ‘Tis Of Thee” for the audition.
| Ages: | Grades 2-3 |
| Director: | Kelsey Madsen |
| Rehearsals: | Sundays, 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM |
| Tuition: | $160- plus $25 fee for performance shirt and tie. |
| (Students provide their own black slacks or skirts and shoes.) |
Discovery Chorus
Students in fourth, fifth and sixth grade are invited to audition for Discovery Chorus, a long-standing Orchestra Iowa School program designed to help young singers become acquainted with quality choral music and build good vocal technique. Approximately 100 students are selected annually by audition and have the opportunity to perform with Orchestra Iowa.
Students wishing to be accepted into the Discovery Chorus should prepare “America the Beautiful” for the audition.
| Ages: | Grades 4-6 |
| Director: | Amy Hanisch |
| Rehearsals: | Sundays, 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM |
| Tuition: | $170 – plus $25 for performance shirt and tie. |
| (Students provide their own black slacks or skirts and shoes.)* | |
| *Note: Gently used uniform shirts and ties may be purchased for half price, based on availability. |