What is the north american choral company?

The north american choral company is a series of choirs for kids in and around Grand Rapids. Regarded as one of the nation's most innovative and exciting music education programs, the nacc offers kids the chance to develop virtuosic musical skills. Each year, adoring audiences pack West Michigan's concert halls and churches to hear these kids sing the most powerful songs on earth.

The choral company's training choirs, the junior company, and the senior company, teach children to read music and to maximize the potential of their singing voices. They perform concerts for family and friends to demonstrate their musical development.

Young people in the company's touring choirs perform professional concerts at home and abroad.

The choral company's educational process is interwoven with experiences featuring professional musicians, exploration of diverse cultures and languages: and exposure to disciplines and ideas that encourage each child's development of a global perspective.

When are auditions for the north american choral company?
The majority of auditions take place in May, June and August for the coming season. However, interested singers, seventh grade or younger, are encouraged to call throughout the year.

When may singers register?
Registration begins in May for the upcoming season and continues until September. New singers are also welcome to join the training choirs at mid-year.

Is a re-audition required every year?
Once a singer is a member of a choral company ensemble, re-audition is not required. However, auditions are required for promotion to more advanced ensembles.

Is previous vocal training required?
No, beginning singers are welcomed. Each singer is evaluated by the artistic director and placed with other children of similar experience and skill level.

What vocal training will a child receive?
Beginning in the youngest training choir and continuing through the programs for the oldest touring choirs, singers learn vocal production, breathing techniques, enunciation, music theory, music reading and sight singing. As the sophistication of the music increases, so increases the level of vocal education. Singers' experience in the training choirs prepares them for the vocal challenges facing them as they mature in ability and musicianship.

How many months do the choirs rehearse each year?
The choir's season begins in September and finishes in May. The training choirs, (junior and senior company) present four concerts. The touring choirs perform in up to ten concerts each year.

Is there a cost for participating in the north american choral company?
Each child pays tuition to be a member of the choral company. The cost increases slightly as a child moves from the youngest training choirs, (the junior company), to the most experienced ensemble caritas.

• Beginning ensemble
  junior company $450.00
• Intermediate ensemble
  senior company $550.00
• Entry level touring choir
  midwest choral $600.00
• Top level touring choir
  vox lumina $650 (for treble voices)

There are also costs associated with uniforms, retreats, tours and concert tickets.

What is the payment schedule?
A $25 fee is due at the time of registration. The remaining tuition may be paid in total at the beginning of the year, in two semester installments in September and January, or monthly from September through June. A choral company tee-shirt will be given to all members who pay in-full in September.

Where and when are the rehearsals?
All choirs rehearse in the Montessori School, 111 College NE. Each ensemble practices one afternoon per week, beginning at 4:30 p.m., for 11/4 to 2 hours, depending on the group.

Is there an attendance requirement?
For a singer to gain the level expertise we wish for them, attendance at rehearsals is mandatory. However, knowing that illness strikes or unforeseeable situations, each singer is allowed two absences per semester. More absences than two, may prevent the singer from participating in a concert. Dress rehearsals are mandatory if a singer intends to perform in the event.

What is expected of singers in the north american choral company?
The answer varies with different choirs.
junior company and senior company and midwest chorale

• Attendance at weekly rehearsals
• Attendance in the fall retreat
• Participation in dress rehearsals and concert

vox lumina

• Attendance at weekly two-hour and one half hour rehearsals.
• Participation in dress rehearsals and concerts.
• Participation in special recording sessions for compact discs.
• Participation in the fall retreat.
• Participation on the annual performance tour.