Chorus Levels

Because any child who loves to sing . . . CAN!

Our philosophy is that any child who loves to sing can become an educated musician. With  10 levels of chorus, we can place any child at their own stage of musical skill and accomplishment. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!

Our experienced, professional artistic staff introduce children to a diverse repertoire of complex music for all ages, of all styles, and from all parts of the globe. Our program focuses on vocal skills, sight-reading, and ear training as well as music history and theory. Choreography helps to balance the overall choral education experience.

A caring staff and dedicated parents provide a nurturing environment for children of ages 7 to 17 to grow musically, build character, and learn the importance of teamwork as they progress through the different levels of the chorus.

Chorus level description

	Boys’ Chorus Preparatory  – For young beginners with no previous musical experience. Curriculum includes beginning Solfege / sight singing, interval training, proper vowel placement and healthy vocal technique.
	Boys’ Chorus  Advanced -  Boys who have more musical experience and have sung with Boys Prep.
	East County 1 – Training chorus for students ages 7-10 with emphasis on training in vocal technique, development of sight reading and performance skills.
	East County 2 – Training chorus for students ages 11-13 with emphasis on training in vocal technique, development of sight reading and performance skills.
	East County 3 –
	Walnut Creek Level 1 – For young beginners with no previous musical experience. Curriculum includes beginning Solfege / sight singing, singing in intervals, rhythm and reading techniques, and proper vowel placement.
	Walnut Creek Level 2 – Choristers ready for the next step in development. Curriculum includes the next step in theory, sight singing intervals, rhythm and reading techniques. Emphasis on breathing, ear training, diction, focusing, two part harmony and further performance skills.
	Walnut Creek Level 3 – Continues to master vocal and reading skills, focusing on skills needed for Level 4 advanced chorus. Curriculum includes continuing to reinforce and teach theory and sight singing. Emphasis on foreign language pieces, more complex vocal technique, and more development in 3 part harmony.
	Walnut Creek Level 4 (Advanced Chorus) – For students who have mastered the vocal skills and techniques of Levels 1, 2, Middle School and 3. Challenging literature at a high level of proficiency is studied. A certain amount of maturity of voice is required. Curriculum includes advanced literature, 4 part harmony, and continuing to emphasize foreign language pieces.
	Honors Concert Choir – Membership is by audition for skilled Level 4 choristers whose technique is at a high level. Singers continue to refine skills that produce beauty, purity and consistency of vocal quality. Repertoire is mainly acapella. Honors Concert Choir will be singing more advanced and complex music with confidence. These singers also remain a part of Level 4.

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Evaluations
Students progress at their own rate, through annual advancement evaluations. Level advancement is not determined by age or grade level - rather by a number of other considerations including sight singing and vocal skills, commitments to rehearsals and performances, and the ability to meet the challenge of increasing standards and difficulty in literature and repertoire. Because each successive level represents a significant increase in difficulty and sight singing skills, it is not unusual for a student to remain in the same level for more than one year.

Music Program

Repertoire: Classical, Multicultural, Broadway, Folk, Jazz and Contemporary with two, three and four part harmony, foreign languages and vocal production techniques.

Theory: Solfege (sight singing intervals, rhythm and reading techniques) and Kodaly method.

Instruments: The program includes the use of Orff rhythm instruments, drums and other percussion instruments which enhance the music and improve rhythmic abilities.

Choreography: Development of body movement, flexibility and rhythm are an important part of overall expressiveness for all levels.

Performance skills: Stage presence, discipline, self-confidence, and theatre experience and etiquette are emphasized throughout each level of the chorus.

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