BATTLE CREEK GIRLS' CHORUS

Join the Girls’ Chorus!

Any girl, age 8 or above, may audition for the Battle Creek Girls’ Chorus. To schedule an audition or learn more about the Chorus, click here to contact Music Director Brian Clissold. Upon acceptance into the Battle Creek Girls' Chorus, a singer will be placed in an appropriate ensemble for her ability and background.

Please contact Brian Clissold for more information at the email link above or dial 269-963-1911 x 2512.

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!

Below is a brief description of each ensemble and its schedule.

Andante Ensemble (level 1)

The Andante Ensemble is the first level training choir and meets for one semester (September through December or January through May). During this first semester of BCGC, the student will master musical concepts dealing with rhythm, pitch, melody, and harmony. In addition, basic concepts of vocal technique, sight reading, music notation, and score reading are used by the student in learning and performing each piece of music. Learning to use the human voice as a musical instrument is the primary goal during the first semester. Proper posture, breathing, and singing in the head register are taught as the foundation for future more advanced study. Students meet twice a week for an hour each session, currently Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 and Thursdays 4:30-5:30. Students can expect to participate in one or two performances this semester.

Allegro Ensemble (level 2)

The second level training choir in the BCGC program, the Allegro Ensemble members continue the work begun in the previous semester. The Allegro Ensemble also meets for one semester, January through May. Upon completion of the second level of BCGC, the student will have more advanced skills in the above concepts. Successful completion of level two prepares the student for participation in one of the performing ensembles. This ensemble continues on the same schedule as the Andante Ensemble, currently Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:30-5:30. Students can expect to participate in one or two performances this semester.

Amabile Singers (level 3)

The Amabile Singers is the first of three performing ensembles. While such musical concepts as the chromatic scale, minor mode, singing in foreign languages, and multiple meters are learned at this level, the student learns to be a “professional” as she prepares for concerts and tours. The student prepares concert programs for the local series as well as private performances and tours—all of which involve the student in approximately 20 performances each year. Students may elect to remain in the Amabile Singers as long as they wish, or they may audition for the Vivace Singers. If a student’s audition for Vivace Singers is unsuccessful, she remains in the Amabile Singers until graduation from BCGC or a successful audition into the Vivace Singers. Amabile Singers members begin to explore three and four part vocal harmony, a cappella singing, singing with an orchestra of various instrumentation, and sight singing in two and three part harmony. While the Amabile Singers has many performance opportunities, they may be somewhat more limited in length and frequency than those of the Vivace Singers. A Head Chorister is appointed by the director to assist in rehearsals and on tours. This ensemble meets twice a week for two hours each session with a break during rehearsal. Currently the Amabile Singers meet Monday 6:00-8:00 and Friday 4:30-6:30. The first 30 minutes of the Monday rehearsal overlaps with the Vivace Singers schedule to create a 1/2 hour combined rehearsal each week 6:00-6:30.

Vivace Singers (level 4)

The Vivace Singers is the highest level and the most advanced large ensemble in the BCGC structure. Students sing advanced three and four part repertoire in many different languages and are taught to sing with a very mature choral tone. At this level, emphasis is placed more on the performance of complex music and less on music theory. The Vivace Singers is the primary ambassador of the BCGC organization, taking on high exposure performance opportunities and more frequent and numerous performances. In addition to their duties in the Vivace Singers, members of this ensemble provide assistance to younger members in the BCGC program. Such duties range from the very unstructured assistance during the rehearsal to tutoring opportunities with the students in the first two levels through the BCGC’s Student Teaching Assistant Program. A Head Chorister is elected by the members of the Vivace Singers to be a student music assistant in rehearsal, performance, and on tours. The selection of the Head Chorister must meet the approval of the Music Director. The Vivace Singers meet twice each week for two hours with a break during rehearsal. Current schedule is Mondays 4:30-6:30 and Thursdays 6:30-8:30. The last 30 minutes of the Monday rehearsal overlaps with the Amabile Singers schedule to create a 1/2 hour combined rehearsal each week 6:00-6:30.

Octavio (level 5)

Comprised of eight singers from within the Vivace Singers, Octavio is the most select ensemble in the BCGC program. Interested students must successfully complete a rigorous audition for entrance into Octavio, which includes preparation of a piece of music without assistance from the director. This ensemble performs almost entirely a cappella music from unison to eight parts with extremely challenging harmonies and rhythms. A student may remain in Octavio until she chooses to leave the ensemble or Girls’ Chorus. Members of Octavio attend an extra one hour rehearsal each week (currently Thursday 5:30-6:30) and must remain in the Vivace Singers.

SUMMARY

The goal of the Battle Creek Girls’ Chorus is to provide an advanced and accelerated music education to girls who audition successfully for the ensemble. The BCGC is not intended to replace a student’s musical experiences in school and all students are encouraged to remain active in their school’s music program. Girls are expected to assist their school music teacher when possible in the event that the concepts have already been mastered by the student.

While most students enter the organization at age eight or nine, any girl may audition at any age up to the twelfth grade. Students are encouraged to remain in BCGC through their high school years.

The expenses of the Battle Creek Girls' Chorus are significantly offset by the payment of tuition by its families. Currently tuition rates are $50 per month for Andante and Allegro and $60 per month for the performing ensembles. Confidential scholarships are available based on financial need.