Training Department Overview
Students entering Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir bring a wide range of musical training, talent, and ability. The goal of the Training Department is to provide an appropriate setting for each student’s advancement, with the understanding that all children do not progress at the same rate.
Our curriculum for beginning singers provides a thorough grounding in the basics of singing and music theory, helping students to build their skills at a steady pace while keeping the emphasis on “fun.” We seek a balance between work and play in these groups, providing meaningful performance opportunities and learning challenges while making sure that students don’t feel overwhelmed by the new world they are experiencing.
Joining the Choir
New students enter the training division through placement interviews, open to children at least six years old, that are held twice a year. These friendly, low-key events allow our staff to meet our new students and assess each student’s current vocal abilities and prior musical training, and are designed to minimize stress and maximize fun. Once admitted to the Choir, each student is placed in a group appropriate for his/her age and level of experience. After advancing through the training level, children who are talented singers with a strong commitment to skill development may audition for entrance into the Performing Department choirs.
Rehearsals
Training Department rehearsals are held in facilities in Piedmont. Parents typically drop their children off and return for them at the conclusion of rehearsal, though family members are welcome to observe rehearsal (with the permission of the conductor) if they so wish. Some singers come and go via public transportation, and carpooling, facilitated through the choir office, is common. Training level choirs generally meet for two hours once a week over the course of each semester. A typical rehearsal begins with group warm-ups tied to the music being taught and whatever aspects of vocal pedagogy are currently being stressed. Then, work on specific pieces is punctuated by interludes of instruction in music theory, again tied to the music or the current curriculum. Beginning groups also enjoy a variety of music-related games, which promote learning while giving the children opportunities to make and grow new friendships.
Curriculum
Helping each child to learn and grow as an individual is central to our educational program. Our formal curriculum stresses healthy vocal production, including such elements as posture, breath control and support, registration, freedom of sound, resonance, and uniformity of vowel colors. Beyond this, each level has its own set of objectives that guide conductors’ work with their groups. Students and families are apprised of individual progress via personalized evaluations that are sent home at the conclusion of each semester.
Public Performances
Performance is at the heart of the Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir's programs, and children start performing for the public their very first semester with us. Training Department choirs perform in special department recitals each semester, and participate in our all-choirs Winter Concerts and Spring Sing. Some of the choirs also perform at community events such as Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, parades, and farmers’ markets.
Touring
Our Training Department students are generally too young to travel away from home on choir tours, but everyone looks forward to the day when they can sing in exotic foreign lands like the big kids!
Summer Choir Camp
Children eight years old and up are strongly encouraged to attend our annual choir camp, held for a week each August shortly before the school year begins. We’ve made an art out of introducing youngsters to the joys of sleep-away music camp, and know just what to do to keep homesickness at bay: sing and have fun!
Training Department:TD Overview | Performing Department |