Since 1956 the Choir has offered various singing experiences ranging from local performances to international touring. Our seven Neighborhood Choirs, for singers ages 8-16, rehearse weekly and provide training in vocal technique, music reading, and performance skills. Each choir performs several times during the year and sometimes takes a short tour in the spring. Support for the Neighborhood Choirs is provided by the Lehman Brothers Foundation and the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation.
DiMension, for boys whose voices have recently changed, rehearses weekly and performs several times during the year. Training is geared towards bringing them to the level of Concert Choir both musically and vocally.
The Concert Choir, the top choir of the Chicago Children’s Choir, consist of singers ages 10-18. Its repertoire includes the finest classical and international music. The Concert Choir has performed regularly with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. Members of the Concert Choir have performed throughout the United States and on international tours; in past years the Choir has visited Canada, Mexico, Italy, Ukraine, Japan, Russia, Great Britain, Europe and South Africa.
The Concert Choir consists of five smaller divisions: Treble Ensemble, an advanced treble choir; Chamber Ensemble, made up of high-school age girls; and Men’s Chorus, for boys whose voices have changed. In addition, Concert Choir members in good standing are eligible to audition for the special Madrigal Singers, Show Choir and Lyric Opera Chorus ensembles.
The Concert Choir rehearses twice a week and has an extensive performance schedule.
Neighborhood Choir Auditions!
Audition Process
You do not need to bring a prepared audition piece to enter the After-School Programs. The audition process is quick and simple. A conductor will listen for the singer's ability to match pitches, to learn a simple tune, and to hold one’s voice part against others.
At the Concert Choir level, all entering singers are expected to be able to read music. Particular emphasis is given to singing in tune, being able to hold one’s part in harmony, and singing with confidence. Auditions for this level will focus on these musical aspects and will also include a sight-singing test.
Singers interested in our After-School Programs are welcome to audition at any time. However, new singers are added only in the fall and sometimes in January; therefore auditions are normally scheduled in the spring and late summer.
Auditions for the Concert Choir are held in June for the following school year.
Next Steps
To arrange an audition for the Choir, call CeCe Hill (chill@CCChoir.org) at (312) 849-8300 extension 14.
Costs
Tuition is charged to cover basic expenses for the Choirs. Program fees, based on a sliding scale, are determined by family household income. Uniform purchase and music deposit (refundable) are also required. All fees are used to cover a portion of the actual cost of the program.
For more information write: Chicago Children’s Choir, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 East Washington, Chicago, IL 60602 or call at (312) 849-8300 or fax us at (312) 849-8309 fax or e-mail us on the web at info@CCChoir.org.