Membership in the Battle Creek Boychoir requires successful completion of an audition given by the Music Director. The Boychoir recruits annually in January and May, during which months families can attend an open house to learn more about the program, observe part of a rehearsal, and schedule an audition.

Come to our OPEN HOUSE! Thursday, May 29th, 7:00 p.m. at the Music Center. Here you will observe the choirs in action, learn more about the program, have questions answered, and even sign up for an audition.

Miss the open house? Not a problem! Contact us for more information and start singing in July!

Register now! Click here to download the registration form. Then complete it and mail it in or bring it to your first rehearsal. For a scholarship application, please contact Carol Adler at 963-1911 x 2589 or email her.

Interested in learning more? Call us at 269-963-1911 x 2511 or email Mr. Grantier

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Music Center of South Central Michigan
The Battle Creek Boychoir
The program in brief

-Pride-
-Desire-
-Respect-

With these great watchwords before us, the Battle Creek Boychoir has become one of the most accomplished and most honored groups of its kind in the Midwest. Following is an at-a-glance look at the BCB program, its structure, and its musical and team-oriented work.

THE PREP CLASS
The first experience of BCB is the Prep Class.

What will you learn?
In the Prep Class, you will learn:
Posture and breathing for singing
Making the sound – high notes, low notes, and accurate pitch- matching
Reading the notes on the staff, and writing them.
Reading and performing rhythm in steady time.
The Prep Class lasts for one semester, and will end in May. At the end of the term, each singer takes an individual examination, to evaluate progress made. Every singer in BCB history has taken and passed this step.

MOVING ON IN SEPTEMBER: BECOMING A PERFORMER --- THE READING ENSEMBLE
Following the Prep Class, the singers become part of the “Reading Ensemble,” the first step in full participation in the performing ranks of the choir. The reading ensemble meets twice weekly, with its rehearsal time expanded to include time with the performing group.

The Reading Ensemble keeps the following schedule:
Mondays, 4:30 – 6:30 full music rehearsal
Thursdays, 5:30 – 6:20 special Reading Ensemble session
Then with the performing group for 1 hour, 6:30 – 7:30.
The reading Ensemble works on more advanced rhythms, and in using sharps, flats, and key signatures, and in reading musical scores. And it takes a full and proud part in all performances of the Boychoir.
It will be noted that no other group which aims for our level of accomplishment works on a so efficient a schedule. Thanks to our outstanding staff and our great families, we are able to accomplish much, in a well-managed, and only moderate commitment of time.

PERFORMANCES / TOURS / OPPORTUNITIES
There are no “bench warmers” in BCB. All of our singers take part in all performances. These range from local appearances for civic organizations and churches, to our local major concert series, to out-of-town performances, and tour performances.
BCB does two kinds of touring. (1) a “mini-tour” is an extended weekend outing with several performances closely spaced. It is paid for by fees from sponsoring organizations. (2) The June Tour is longer (this year 9 days), and is paid for by Parent Auxiliary fundraisers, and out-of-pocket payments. This year’s June tour will take the choir to Philadelphia and New York City, singing in outstanding locations.

BCB – COSTS and BENEFITS
The Battle Creek Boychoir is supported by the annual campaign of the Music Center, by season ticket subscriptions and single ticket sales, by performance fees paid by concert sponsors, but also very importantly by tuition for the program. Tuition rates are;
$50.00/month at the Prep Class level
$60.00/month at the Performing level
The slightly higher cost reflects the increased time in rehearsal.
BCB also maintains a Scholarship Fund, for those for whom the tuition may prove difficult. The application is simple, and we are as generous as our funds will allow. We have NEVER refused at least partial scholarship funding to qualified applicants. It is our goal that NO singer should be denied BCB membership because of the tuition.

BCB PROVIDES AT NO EXTRA COST;
All music sung in rehearsal and performance
Teaching materials used in our levels of training
Performing wardrobe (the “blazer and tie” outfit)
(T-shirts and Polos are purchased on your own)
Fall and Winter rehearsal retreats
Mini-tours and other out-of-town performances

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCEMENT
As a member choir of the Royal School of Church Music, BCB offers training at more advanced levels of musicianship. Each level attained is signified by the awarding of a distinctive ribbon and medal from the Boychoir and RSCM.
The Royal School of Church Music was founded in 1927, and is headquartered in England. There are member choirs throughout the world, and RSCM provides an inspiring model of training in musicianship and group work.

THE MUSIC CENTER OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHGIAN
The Music Center was created in 2000 as the merger of several fine musical organizations in the community:
The Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra
The Battle Creek Community Chorus
The Battle Creek Boychoir
The Battle Creek Girls’ Chorus
The Battle Creek Community Music School
Since that time, the Music Center has added to its roster:
The Ars Voce adult vocal ensemble
The Sojourner Truth Choir, and the IMPACT program for
“at risk” young people
The Hastings branch of the Community Music School.
The Marshall and Albion sites of the CMS

Contact Information;
Phone 963-1911, ext. 2511
www.musiccenterscmi.com
e-mail; bgrantier@musiccenterscmi.com

The Battle Creek Boychoir Staff:
Brooks Grantier, Music Director
Dr. Mark Wells, Music Associate
Wanza Grantier, Music Associate

The Music Center Office Staff;
Elinor Marsh, Executive Director
Carol Adler, Registrar Music School and Choirs
Kelly Redmond, Director of Concert Operations
Peter Ingalls, Director of Marketing and Development

For more information or to schedule an audition, contact Brooks Grantier, Music Director, at 269-963-1911 x 2511 or bgrantier@musiccenterscmi.com